A four-month-old baby died of a “catastrophic” brain injury, a court heard today.

Eli Cox passed away on April 27, two weeks after ambulance crews were called to his home in Lapwing Close, Minster, to reports he was not breathing.

Danny Shepherd, 25, and Katherine Cox, 32, appeared before Medway magistrates via video link.

The pair, who now live in Millfield Road, Faversham, were charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, causing or allowing serious injury to a child and possession of a class B drug (amphetamine).

Over a 10-week period, it was found the child suffered a number of injuries including to the brain, which the prosecutor said was “catastrophic”.

It was said the child had suffered a cardiac arrest and was placed on life support.

He later died in hospital.

The baby was found to have “28 bone fractures on 19 different bones” and he also had been exposed to amphetamine and cocaine.

Shepherd and Cox were released on conditional bail until December 13, when they will appear before Maidstone Crown Court.