A MOTHER accused of murdering her infant son in a house fire yesterday attended his funeral in handcuffs.

Danielle Wails, 21, arrived at the service handcuffed to a prison officer, while two other officers followed closely behind. Two more officers in uniform stood guard at the cemetery gates.

More than 70 people attended the service for Alexander Lee Gallon, who died in the fire in the Cowgate area of Newcastle on August 27.

A hearse with a wreath saying "Son" carried Alexander's body to the chapel.

Inside, Miss Wails' family and friends hugged her and comforted her at the service, which was led by Reverend Tom Leighton at West Road Crematorium, Fenham, Newcastle.

Miss Wails, still handcuffed to the officer, sat at the front and sobbed throughout the service.

At one point she got up and read a poem from the pulpit, flanked on one side by the warder and on the other by her partner, Robert Gallon, Alexander's father.

Mr Gallon squeezed her hand as she read the poem, which included the words: "My family's chain has been broken."

Miss Wails also led prayers for Alexander. At the graveside, her father hugged her and she kissed other babies belonging to family members.

A mourner said: "Danielle desperately wanted to be there and had to apply through the Home Office.

"It was a great relief to her and the rest of the family that she got the chance to say goodbye to him."

The mourner added: "It was very hard to see that tiny coffin being carried to the chapel, it was heartbreaking."

Miss Wails is accused of Alexander's murder and is remanded in custody.

Police were called to a blaze at her terraced house in Cowgate, Newcastle, on August 27.

At first, police said they were looking for two masked men reported to have bound Miss Wails and set the house on fire.

Four-month-old Alexander was lying on a settee as flames ripped through the property. He died in hospital later.

Miss Wails was arrested two days later.