Blackpool Toddler Killed: Man Appears In Court

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering his girlfriend's two-year-old daughter.

Connor Gibson, 23, is accused of the murder of toddler Kacey Hambleton, who died on Saturday after suffering serious injuries.

Mr Gibson, of Melrose Avenue, Blackpool, did not speak during the brief hearing at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

He stood in the dock wearing a blue T-shirt and black trousers. He was remanded back into custody to appear at Preston Crown Court and sobbed as he was led down to the cells.

Police were called to a house on Granby Avenue in Blackpool on Thursday and found Kacey "unresponsive". She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and was later airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in a critical condition.

Kacey's mother, a 23-year-old from Blackpool, was also arrested on suspicion of murder but has been released on bail until July.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gilbert from Lancashire Constabulary's Force Major Investigation Team said: "This is a terribly tragic incident where a little girl has sadly lost her fight for life and I am determined to find out exactly what has happened to her and how she has come to acquire injuries so serious that they have proven fatal.

"I personally encourage anyone who may have any information about little Kacey and the days leading up to her death to come forward to help us in what has now developed into a murder investigation."

Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Crimestoppers-uk.org.