A father accused of killing his terminally ill son has been freed on bail.

Andrew Wragg, 36, was released by Judge Richard Brown after a 30-minute hearing at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

He has been in custody since July 26, when he was arrested and charged with the murder of his ten-year-old son, Jacob.

Wragg, wearing a grey suit, light blue shirt and grey patterned tie, spoke only to confirm his name.

He was released on a £50,000 surety, has been ordered not to enter West Sussex and must live at an address in Wimbledon, south-west London.

He is also forbidden to contact his younger son, George, except in the presence of social services.

Wragg is due back in court on October 22.

His father Bob, mother Ann, sister Tina, brothers Steve and Chris and sister-in-law Sara watched from the public gallery.

Wragg's barrister, Timothy Mousley, QC, indicated his client would be pleading not guilty to the single charge of murder.

Judge Brown said he would hear the bail application in private.

Wragg's solicitor, Oscar Vincent, returned to the court 20 minutes later. He smiled at Wragg's relatives and pointed to the door.

The family gathered outside the blue gates leading to the cells and Wragg's mother hugged him when he emerged 15 minutes later.

Mr Vincent said: "Mr Wragg is immensely relieved to be granted bail this morning. Over the past two weeks he has had to put up with the death of his son, several days of police questioning and being remanded into a prison environment.

"The granting of bail allows him time to spend time with his family, to grieve properly, deal with the funeral arrangements and prepare for the trial."

Police were called to the family home in Henty Close, Worthing, at 11.20pm on July 24.

Jacob, who had Hunter syndrome, was treated at the scene and taken to Worthing Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Wragg and his wife Mary, 40, were arrested and detained. Mrs Wragg was released without charge. She did not attend yesterday's hearing.

She has campaigned to raise money for sufferers of Hunter, a rare genetic disorder which can cause physical and mental deterioration and reduce life expectancy.