A father stands accused of murdering a five-month-old baby and injuring another young child.

Daniel McLaren is due to appear at Reading Crown Court tomorrow charged one count of murder and a separate count of grievous bodily harm.

The 29-year-old defendant has been remanded in custody since his arrest on Tuesday.

McLaren, of Fleetwood Close, Newbury, spoke only to confirm his name.

Young Jack McLaren died on Sunday, June 4.

A postmortem examination was completed on Wednesday and investigators said they are treating his death as suspicious.

Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said: "Both of these matters are indictable only and must be sent to crown court.

"The case will be dealt with tomorrow at Reading Crown Court and he will be remanded in custody until then."

McLaren, of an average height with short blonde hair, emerged from the cells in floods of tears wearing a dark T-shirt and trousers.

The charge of malicious grievous bodily harm relates to injuries sustained by another child under the age of 12 months.

Nicola Buchanan-Dunlop, chair of the bench, concluded: "You will be sent to Reading Crown Court to appear tomorrow, but in the meantime you will be remanded in custody."

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

She has been released on police bail until July 5.