A WOMAN charged with the murder of baby Callum has been released on bail.

In the late morning of March 14 1998, the body of a baby boy was found in a wooded area of Callands near to Gulliver’s World Theme Park, wrapped in a black plastic bin bag.

He was born just hours before his body was discovered by a dog walker at 11am and was named after the area of Warrington where he was found.

Joanne Sharkey, of Denham Close in Croxteth, was charged with murdering the youngster and concealing the birth of a child last week.

The 54-year-old was granted conditional bail today, Tuesday, following an application, heard in private, at Liverpool Crown Court.

She did not attend the hearing and a plea hearing is due to take place on July 25, with a provisional trial date fixed for January 14 next year.

DI Hannah Friend, of Cheshire Police’s Major Crime Review Team, said: “I understand that this is an extremely emotional case which has attracted a lot of attention over the past 26 years, however I would ask people not to speculate.

“Criminal proceedings are now active against Joanne Sharkey, and she has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”