A man was due to appear in Court today charged with the murder of a four-month-old baby boy in Bradford.

The jobless 21-year-old was charged late last night following a five-month investigation by detectives.

Officers launched their inquiry after being alerted by medical staff at the time of the tot's death on December 15 last year.

The man - believed to be the boyfriend of the youngster's mother - was arrested the day after his death but has remained free on bail ever since.

He returned to answer bail at the city centre Tyrls police station yesterday and after being questioned further by officers, was officially charged with the baby's murder.

It was revealed that the man, who is from the city's Holme Wood estate, has also been charged with assaulting the dead boy's 14-month-old sister.

This charge relates to an alleged attack on the girl some time during the course of 2002.

On December 15 last year the four-month-old youngster was rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. It is thought ambulance staff became suspicious and alerted police.

A subsequent post mortem examination on the tot concluded that the youngster had suffocated.

A spokesman for Bradford South Police today said: "We can confirm that a 21-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a four-month-old boy in the West Bowling area of Bradford on December 15 last year."

He added: "He has also been charged with an assault on a 14-month-old girl."

Last night the man, who has not been named, was held in police custody at the Tyrls police station.

Today he was due to be transported to the neighbouring Bradford Magistrates Court where he will appear at an initial hearing.