by Julia Roberts

A mother has denied murdering her 11-year-old son at the home they shared in New Ash Green.

Jennifer Taylor, 44, looked pale and gaunt as she sat in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court.

She sat with her head bowed and was crying when she replied "not guilty" to the charge of murdering James Taylor between November 28 and December 3 last year.

Grammar school pupil James was found dead at their home in Knights Croft.

Shortly after the discovery, his mother was taken to Darent Valley Hospital where she was treated for a suspected overdose.

At Friday's court hearing Taylor was accompanied in the dock by three members of staff from the Trevor Gibbens psychiatric unit in Maidstone.

She was allowed by Judge Jeremy Carey to remain seated throughout the proceedings.

A trial date has already been fixed to start on June 8. Taylor was remanded in custody.

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