The jury in the trial of a Sussex man accused of murdering his girlfriend's baby will today resume its deliberations.

Aaron Goodman, 26, formerly of Church Road, St Leonards, has denied killing Sam Back in December 2000.

Goodman admits conspiring to prevent Sam being given a lawful burial.

Sam's mother, Emma Back, 22, of Park Road, Bexhill, denies wilfully neglecting her son between August and December 2000 and conspiracy to prevent a burial.

Sam died days before his second birthday.

During the trial at Lewes Crown Court, the jury heard how the baby's corpse was left in a cot for two weeks in the flat his mother and Goodman shared in St Leonards.

The body was found by police after the baby's grandparents, who were told he was a victim of cot death, became suspicious at delays in organising the funeral.

The jury of ten women and two men retired yesterday to consider its verdict at the end of the two-week trial.