A woman and her boyfriend have denied involvement in the alleged sadistic abuse and death of a 15-month-old boy.

Jacob Lennon died after allegedly suffering a severe head injury at the family home in Putney, south-west London, in August 2019.

Medics found the toddler collapsed early on the morning of August 27 after receiving a 999 call that he was not breathing.

He was taken to a west London hospital and pronounced dead at 7.22am.

A special post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as a severe head injury, but also revealed a series of alleged historic injuries, including to his genitals, suggesting “systematic abuse”, the Old Bailey heard.

His mother, Louise Lennon, 31, is charged with child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.

Her boyfriend, Jake Drummond, 32, is charged with Jacob’s murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm between July 1 and August 27 2019.

The prosecution alleged Jacob’s death was the culmination of concerted sadistic series of assaults.

On Tuesday, Drummond, who is not the baby’s father, and Lennon denied all the charges against them during a hearing at the Old Bailey.

The defendants, who have separate addresses in Wandsworth, south London, face a trial starting on February 6 2023.

The case is expected to last between four and six weeks.

Drummond is in custody, while Lennon is on conditional bail.

A further hearing was set for May 27.