They are charged with the murder of Tobias-John Doyle in Leicester in 2023
11:25, 29 Apr 2026Updated 11:26, 29 Apr 2026
Shalom Morgan is jointly accused of murder. LeicestershireLive has been unable to source a picture of Omiel Gordon as of the time of publication.
A man and a woman accused of child cruelty and murdering a 21-month-old boy have had a date set for their trial.
Omiel Gordon and Shalom Morgan appeared together in the dock at Leicester Crown Court today (Wednesday, April 29) where they spoke only to confirm their names.
The pair have been in custody since Monday (April 27) when they were charged with murdering Tobias-John Doyle. They also face further charges of causing or allowing the death of Tobias-John and child cruelty against him.
They were first arrested in December 2023, shortly after the youngster was rushed to hospital from a home in Mulberry Avenue, Braunstone Frith, Leicester. He died in hospital a few days later.
Gordon, 35, of Butterwick Drive, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, and Morgan, 23, of Morledge Street, Leicester city centre, were both released on police bail after their arrests in 2023 and have been on bail for two years and five months.
At today’s crown court hearing, Mandisa Knights, representing Morgan, asked to make a bail application. But Judge William Harbage KC ruled that the application would have to wait until next week to give the prosecution and Leicestershire Police more time to prepare.
Bethany Baggaley, for Gordon, said there was no bail application on behalf of her client.
Judge Harbage ruled the bail application for Morgan would take place on Wednesday, May 6, with a further hearing for both defendants on Monday, May 25.
A trial date for Monday, August 24, was set. It is expected to last about eight weeks and the judge said the nature of the trial – with numerous expert witnesses – meant it may not be ready to begin by August.
The judge told the pair: “Your trial date has been set for August 24 at this stage. That may change given the nature of this case.
“You will next be at court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 26, when you may well be asked if you plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.
“In the meantime, you will both be remanded in custody. A bail application for you, Miss Morgan, will be made on May 6, in a week’s time.
“But for now you are both remanded in custody. You may go down.”
Leicestershire Police have asked the public not to speculate on the case. Detective Inspector Kevin Hames said: “My thoughts very much remain with Tobias and everyone who is affected by his extremely sad death.
“I am aware of the impact this news today will have in the community and we will have officers in the areas affected to help in offering reassurance to you – please do speak with them if you have any concerns.
“This is a complex investigation and I do want to thank those who have provided support during this time.
“As court proceedings are now active, we do ask that people do not speculate and take care with any publication made so as to not prejudice these court proceedings.”