A YOUNG mother is to face a re-trial on a charge that she caused or allowed the death of her 12-week-old baby girl.

A jury of eight men and four women was unable to reach a decision in the case of 19-year-old Jessica Wiggins, of Heathfield Road, Redditch.

The judge, Madam Justice Cox, discharged the jury who had been deliberating for 11 hours and 27 minutes after a three-week trial.

A few hours earlier they had found Wiggins not guilty of cruelty to the child, who had died at the hands of her violent partner, 21-year-old Tyler Vallance.

Vallance, of Engadine Road, The Oakalls, Bromsgrove, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the first day of the trial at Worcester Crown Court. He will be sentenced on July 24.

Wiggins, who was given bail, will face another hearing, probably at the end of the year. The court was told that family court proceedings were planned for October.

Wiggins told the jury that Vallance was a volatile man with mood swings who had punched, kicked and slapped her during their relationship. He would often ill-treat her after he had been out drinking.

Since baby Isabella's death,  the couple have had another daughter, who has been taken into care.