A teenager and a 20-year-old man accused of causing the unnecessary suffering or injury of a one-month-old baby will stand trial later this year.

Danni Knowler and James Lomas denied the charges relating to Freddie Lomas when they appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

The newborn sadly died in 2016.

Knowler, 19, of London Road, Maidstone, stood alongside Lomas, of Howick Close, Aylesford, in the dock and both entered not guilty pleas on Friday.

A judge revealed the sentencing powers of magistrates would be insufficient should they be convicted of assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting or abandoning a child to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

The pair were released on unconditional bail.

They will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, March 9.

During the hearing the district judge imposed an erroneous reporting restriction to avoid revealing the identity of baby Freddie. The ruling was overturned following a challenge by KentOnline's sister paper, the Kent Messenger.