Two people who appeared in court in connection with the death of a baby in Harold Hill have had charges against them "discontinued".

Police confirmed today (November 6) that charges against Ahmed Mahad, 35, of no fixed address, and Dawn-Marie Huxtable, 36, of Mimosa Close, Harold Hill, have been discontinued.

They had been accused of concealing the birth of a child after a newborn girl was found dead at a residential address in Mimosa Close, Harold Hill, on August 22.

Det Supt Lewis Basford today said: “The charges have been discontinued in this case in order to allow police to gather more evidence.

"This includes expert analysis of forensic evidence which may take some months to complete.

“Once this evidence has been considered by police a decision will be made in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about any charges."

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But the Met Police said its investigation would continue.

“Our investigation remains very much ongoing and I would stress that no conclusions should be drawn from this procedural decision," Det Supt Basford added.

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation should contact police quoting CAD 6024/23Aug.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.