A man and woman have denied murder and child cruelty over the death of their two-month-old baby.

Mohammed Barrie, 36, and Raby Diallo, 25, appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, charged with murdering their daughter Aissatu Barrie on May 19 2020.

They are also charged with causing or allowing the death of the baby, cruelty to a person under the age of 16 and causing or allowing physical harm to a child between March 3 and May 19 2020.

London Ambulance Service was called to their home at Cumnor House, Robsart Street, Brixton, south London just after 8am on May 19 2020, where they found the baby dead.

It is alleged the baby, who was a twin, suffered from four separate episodes of injury at a time when both defendants were responsible for the child’s welfare.

The injuries involved damage to and around the brain and spinal cord, bleeding in and around the optic nerve, fractures to the skull and ribs and vertebra and bruising to the chest muscles, the court previously heard.

The couple, who can now be named after reporting restrictions were lifted, appeared at the Old Bailey via separate video links on Tuesday.

Diallo, who appeared from HMP Bronzefield wearing a navy blue zip-up jacket, spoke to confirm her name and to plead not guilty to all four counts.

Answering the charges, she said: “Non coupable” as she spoke to the court through a French translator.

Barrie, who appeared from HMP Pentonville wearing a grey jumper and blue facemask, also spoke to confirm his name and responded “not guilty” to all four counts.

Judge Anne Molyneux told the defendants: “You have been made aware that this case is to be transferred to the Inner London Crown Court where it will be tried by a high court judge.”

She later added: “Your legal advisers will continue to assist you to prepare for trial.

“Your case will come to trial on October 3 of this year at the Inner London Crown Court.”

Judge Molyneux remanded the defendants in custody until their trial, estimated to be six weeks long, at Inner London Crown Court on October 3.