THE funeral of baby Isabella Vallance has delayed the sentencing of her father.

Tyler Vallance, of Engadine Road, The Oakalls, Bromsgrove, was due to be sentenced on July 24 at Worcester Crown Court after he admitted manslaughter at an earlier date.

But Rt Hon Justice Cox told the court that the funeral of Isabella, who died at the age of just 12 weeks, was due to take place on the same day. Her family wanted to be there and also wanted to be in court when her father is sentenced.

The 21-year-old will now be sentenced after the retrial of Isabella's mother, 19-year-old Jessica Wiggins, of Heathfield Road, Redditch, which is scheduled to take place before a crown court judge on November 3 and is expected to last at least 10 days. She was found not guilty by a jury of cruelty but they could not reach a verdict on a charge of allowing the death of Isabella.

The inquest into baby Isabella's death was opened but will not be resumed by the coroner's court due to the criminal proceedings taking place.

The medical cause of death given by the coroner was head injury.

Isabella died in December 2012 after being taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch before being transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital.