Pensioner to stand trial over historic child murder

David Dearlove, 70, also denies the manslaughter of toddler Paul Booth, from Haverton Hill, near Stockton, who died in hospital in October 1968.

He also faces a child cruelty charge against Paul and two further charges.

The trial at Teesside Crown Court is expected to last two to three weeks.

At a previous hearing it was said that Dearlove was the then-partner of Paul's mother, who died in the 1990s.

He lives in Great Yarmouth with his wife of 36 years and has no previous convictions.