A two-year-old girl who died in hospital had suffered historical and recent fractures, a court heard today, after two people were charged with her murder.

Jan Gholami, 32, and Roqia Ghulami, 31, were due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court, but were not produced from prison because of an error.

However, the court heard basic details of the charges, which relate to the death of an unnamed child in 2020.

On May 27, that year she was admitted to a Gravesend hospital with injuries, and then died at a London hospital two days later.

Upon her arrival at hospital, concerns were raised to Kent Police and two people were arrested.

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate subsequently launched an investigation and following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, charged the pair.

Last Friday, Jan Gholami, and Roqia Ghulami both of no fixed address and of Iranian decent, were both charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child, and child neglect.

Gholami and Ghulami appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, where they were remanded to appear at Maidstone Crown Court today.

However, Judge Julian Smith told the court the hearing could not go ahead as both the defendants had not been brought before the court.

Judge Smith said: "Disappointingly there has been a mistake, they have not been produced and there is no interpreter and they should have been produced.

"This is a 48-hour hearing and they are charged with murder. In their absence I will deal with what I can."

The judge said the child had suffered historical and recent fractures before her death.

Judge Smith then told the court the case would be listed for Friday afternoon and that both defendants must attend.

He remanded the pair in custody.