A babysitter appeared in court today charged with the murder of a two-year-old boy.

Susan Holdsworth, 34, of Millpool Close, Hartlepool, made a tearful 10-minute appearance before the town's magistrates following the death of Kyle Fisher from head injuries on July 21.

She was granted conditional bail to live at an address in Leeds where she has found shift work since Kyle's death.

She must not approach prosecution witnesses who include the boy's 19-year-old mother Clare, who lives close to the defendant's home address.

She must not have unsupervised contact with children under the age of 17.

Holdsworth was bailed to appear before Teesside Crown Court on September 14. She was led away from court by her family who shielded her from public view.