A CLOSE friend of the mother of tragic baby Luigi has today spoken of her shock following the tot's death.On the day that Ipswich man Duncan Mills appeared in court charged with the four-week old baby's murder, Kelly Jacobs, 27, said she was in disbelief when her pal Samantha Askew was hauled in for questioning in relation to the death.

A CLOSE friend of the mother of tragic baby Luigi has today spoken of her shock following the tot's death.

On the day that Ipswich man Duncan Mills appeared in court charged with the four-week old baby's murder, Kelly Jacobs, 27, said she was in disbelief when her pal Samantha Askew was hauled in for questioning in relation to the death.

Miss Askew, 22, of Lanercost Way, Ipswich has since been released without charge.

Today, Mills appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates in Ipswich speaking only to confirm his name and address at the short hearing at 10.40am today.

Mills, of London Road, wore grey jogging bottoms and a light blue jumper for the hearing.

He was charged with the murder and also assault on a woman causing grievous bodily harm.

At one point the 31-year-old, with braided hair and facial stubble, turned to look at two members of the public who had come to support him at the hearing.

No bail applications were made and Mills was remanded in custody to reappear at Ipswich Crown Court on June 7.

Mills was arrested at his flat in London Road on Saturday after paramedics were called to Lanercost Way early that morning following a report of a baby needing treatment.

The baby named in court as Luigi Rooney Mills was taken to Ipswich Hospital but later died.

Ms Askew was also hospitalised and received treatment for non life-threatening injuries.

Mrs Jacobs of Ascot Drive, Ipswich said she was in disbelief when she heard her friend Samantha had been arrested.

She said: “I was surprised and shocked.

“She is such a lovely girl and a brilliant mum. She was always so happy. I am sure she will be devastated by everything that's happened.

“I would never want to be in that position myself. The pain she must be feeling carrying her baby for nine months and only having it for such a short time.

“She was just starting to bond and he was taken away from her. It must have been a terrible ordeal to go through.

“She's lost a child and that's bad enough to deal with but to be arrested in connection with the death must have been terrible for her.”

Mrs Jacobs, who knows Ms Askew from Stoke High School, said her friend is a bubbly and laid back character.

She said that after leaving school at 16 she went on to gain hairdressing qualifications at Suffolk College prior to working at a salon in the town.

She added that Ms Askew has been with her current partner Duncan Mills for around four years.

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