A dad accused of the murder of his young daughter has today broken his silence from his prison cell, saying: “I am innocent”.
Richard Green, 22, is being held at Preston Prison accused of the murder of his daughter Lia, aged three, and causing or allowing the death of a child.
He is awaiting trial on the charge and is due to return to Preston Crown Court next month.
His partner, Lias mother Natalie Critchley, 21, who he says had a job at a Preston nursery, is also facing criminal charges of causing or allowing the death of a child and will return to court at the same time as Green.
But, speaking for the first time in a letter from his prison cell to the Evening Post, Green has today protested his innocent over Lias death and says he will fight the charges in court.
He said: Im currently involved in an investigation into the death of my daughter Lia Green and would like to let you know a few things.
We are innocent.
He also paid tribute to his daughter, saying she was so beautiful and so bright and loved everybody and everything.
I wanted to make her proud, he added.
In his letter, Green also gives his recollection of the events leading up to Lias death, which the Evening Post has not published for legal reasons.
Green, of Harling Road, Preston, appeared in court last October charged with Lias murder.
Flanked by security guards, he spoke only to confirm his name as he stood in the secure dock at Preston Magistrates Court.
Paulo Passerini, defending, told the court Green strongly denies the allegations placed before him.
Both Green and Critchley, of Norris Street, Plungington, will next be in court for a plea and case management hearing on February 15.
A date for a possible trial, which is expected to last two to three weeks, has been set for April 10.
Toddler Lia died from extensive internal injuries after feeling unwell on August 30.
She was taken by paramedics to Royal Preston Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The toddler, from Norris Street, was laid to rest in a funeral service at English Martys Church, Preston, where she made her final journey in a horse drawn carriage.
Lias tiny pink coffin was taken inside the church, where members of the congregation dressed in pink.