Ipswich court hears Andrew Campbell, Natalie Whitehead’s baby murder charges to be dropped

Murder charges against an Ipswich woman, accused of abandoning a baby to die while on a drug binge have been dropped.

Andrew William Campbell (left) has fronted Ipswich Court charged over the death of Dexter Wilton (right).

An Ipswich mother accused of abandoning a baby, leaving him to die, while on a drug binge has had her murder charge dropped and replaced with manslaughter charge.

It is expected her partner, charged over the same incident will have his charge downgraded in the coming weeks.

Eight-month-old Dexter Wilton was found dead in his Raceview home in June, 2019 – allegedly from dehydration and malnutrition.

On July 28, Dexter’s mother Natalie Jade Whitehead, 37, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court where he charge was formally reduced from murder to manslaughter, according to court records.

It is alleged his mother Natalie Jade Whitehead, 37, and her boyfriend at the time Andrew William Campbell, 43, “forgot about him” while they were on a three-day drug binge.

Ms Whitehead and Mr Campbell were both charged with murder in the months following Dexter’s death.

But the Ipswich Magistrates Court heard today, July 21 – more than four years after Dexter’s death – that the murder charge would soon be dropped and substituted for lesser charges.

Police have laid charges over the allegedly suspicious death of Ipswich baby Dexter Wilton.

Ms Whitehead, who is currently remanded in custody, was represented in court by defence lawyer Yassar Khan — acting as town agent for AW Bale & Son.

Mr Khan requested an adjournment to Friday, July 28, so that Ms Whitehead could appear via video link.

He explained she would need to be present so that her murder charge could be dropped on that date.

Mr Khan said he understood Ms Whitehead would then be presented with a new charge of manslaughter instead.

The matter was adjourned for July 28, and Ms Whitehead was remanded in custody to appear on that date.

Andrew William Campbell (left, wearing a blue shirt and jeans) leaving Ipswich Magistrates Court with his lawyer Hugh Stitt (right) on July 21, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Campbell appeared in person, after being granted Supreme Court Bail on June 23, 2023.

Crown prosecutor Rachel Stewart said the prosecution intended to present a new bench charge sheet while Mr Campbell was present.

The court heard this new charge would substitute count one against Mr Campbell — murder.

Ms Stewart said Magistrate Melanie Ho could grant Mr Campbell bail on the new charge, with conditions mirroring his Supreme Court bail.

Mr Campbell’s lawyer Hugh Stitt suggested the court grant Mr Campbell bail on his own undertaking instead for the new charge.

Ms Ho said she would need time to consider the material before deciding the appropriate bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned to August 4 for further committal mention, and Mr Campbell’s bail was enlarged.

He currently remains charged with murder, misconduct with a corpse by interfering, and three counts of failing to supply the necessaries of life.

Ms Whitehead is currently charged with murder, misconduct with a corpse by interfering, six counts of failing to supply the necessaries of life, unlawfully possessing a category D/H/R weapon, and stealing.