A mother and father have denied causing the death of their one-year-old son who was found severely malnourished.

Maero Johnson, from St Helens, Merseyside, died in hospital in August 2023.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Adam Johnson, 26, and Kylie Smith, 25, of St Helens, pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death of a child between 5 June and 24 August 2023.

A trial, expected to last four to six weeks, is due to begin on 9 April 2027.

A post-mortem examination showed Maero died of ketotic hypoglycaemia and severe malnutrition.

Johnson and Smith also denied two counts of cruelty to a person under 16.

Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing cannabis.

The pair were granted unconditional bail ahead of a pre-trial hearing on 5 April next year.