A FATHER accused of murdering his five-month-old son and injuring another baby was remanded in custody today.

Daniel McLaren spoke only to confirm his name when he appeared at Reading Crown Court, charged with a single count of murder and a separate count of grievous bodily harm (GBH).

The 29-year-old was charged on Wednesday after his son Jack, who was aged just five months, was declared dead in hospital last Sunday.

A post-mortem examination of young Jack's body was carried out and police launched an official murder investigation.

McLaren was also charged with GBH after another child suffered injuries.

A woman, aged 28, was arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child but she was later released without charge.

Dressed in a dark red t-shirt, balding McLaren appeared by video-link in court today.

He did not enter a plea and there was no application for bail.

Judge Johanna Cutts arranged a provisional trial date for November, should a trial be needed, and said: "This is the very early stage of this case and we have been setting down some directions to make sure it moves forward as smoothly as it can.

"For the time being your trial will take place on November 27.

"You will be tried by a high court judge and we do not know the availablity of that judge.

"It (the trial date) may change.

"You will remain in custody."

McLaren, of Fleetwood Close, Newbury, is charged with murder and a separate count of grievous bodily harm.

A woman, 28, from Newbury was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child.

However, she has been released without charge.

A police spokesman said: "No further action was taken against a 28-year-old woman from Newbury arrested on Tuesday  on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and on suspicion of Section 18 - grievous bodily harm with intent, in connection with the investigation."

The case continues.