Evil foster mum who murdered baby hid her drink and anger issues, review finds

A review into foster mother Laura Castle, jailed for the murder of Leiland-James Corkill, found crucial information was kept from adoption services, such as her anger issues

An evil foster mother who murdered the baby boy she was set to adopt had issues with her anger and drank six bottles of wine a week, a review into the case discovered.

Laura Castle, 38, was jailed in May for at least 18 years for the murder of 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill after a court heard she had 'leathered' the child who suffered fatal head injuries.

The toddler had been placed in the care of Castle and her husband, Scott Castle, 35, in August 2020.

But five months later, on January 6, 2021, paramedics found the tot unresponsive when they attended the couple’s home in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

A child safeguarding practice review into the case has today revealed Castle was receiving "talking therapy" with an NHS-commissioned service when she applied in January 2019 to be an adoptive parent.

The "critical information" disclosed in the sessions, which included revelations about her anger and drinking, was not shared with her GP.

Consequently there were not available to the adoption panel which went on to approve her.

The review added: "This included her self-report she was often irritable and short-tempered, including shouting too much at her young child.

"She spoke about feeling judged by other parents and that she avoided company. She also reported drinking six bottles of wine a week which impacted on her motivation and mood, although she denied it had an impact on her parenting."

Castle failed to mention those details in the adoption application process and no safeguarding concerns were raised by First Step, which was not aware the couple had applied to adopt, the review said.

The review discovered concerns were raised in September 2020 by a gastroenterologist following a consultation with Castle as she reported drinking 27 units of alcohol per week.

This information was shared with her GP but neither the health issue nor the alcohol use was shared with any other agency.

The Castles did not share the information either and also did not give a full picture about their financial situation which included significant loans and credit card debt.

Castle being interviewed by Cumbria Police( Image: Cumbria Police)

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