THE parents of an allegedly sick child have gone on trial charged with killing him.

Craig Herdman, 46, and Paula Freitas, 37, are accused of the culpable homicide of Fraai Herdman at their home in Girvan.

Fraai was aged 15 months when he passed away at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock on February 9, 2021.

The charge states that the child suffered from cystic fibrosis prior to his death.

Prosecutors claim knowing that he had became "acutely unwell" his parents failed to get "appropriate, timely and adequate" medical checks and treatment.

It is said that, as a result, Fraai developed bronchopneumonia and did not survive.

The allegation spans between January 26 and February 9, 2021.

Herdman and Freitas face an alternative accusation under the Children and Young Persons Act of wilfully neglecting the boy during the same dates.

The pair have gone on trial at the High Court in Glasgow where they deny the accusations.

Advocate depute Alan Cameron KC is leading the prosecution.

Herdman's defence KC is Iain McSporran while Paul Nelson KC is representing Freitas.

Trainee detective constable Mark Babington was the first witness in the trial which could last around three weeks.

He recalled being informed on February 9, 2021 about the sudden death of a young child.

After speaking with medics, he went on to meet Herdman and Freitas in a private room at Crosshouse.

Freitas was cradling her deceased son in her arms at the time.

The officer was told the child had earlier been unwell.

Freitas had gone to breast-feed her son in the early hours when his heart-rate and breathing was described as fast.

Prosecutor Mr Cameron asked the officer: "Who was telling you all this?"

Trainee DC Babington replied: "Mr Herdman."

Fraai's breathing was said to have stopped at their house and Herdman performed CPR while awaiting an ambulance for hospital.

The officer spoke to the pair again concerning "what would happen next in relation to Fraai".

Mr Cameron asked the witness: "Did you tell them that there would be a post-mortem?"

He replied: "Yes, Mr Herdman voiced his concern. He asked me how he could object to this... as he did not want it to happen.

"He stated it was against what he believed in."

Herdman's KC Mr McSporran later put to the witness that the dad had answered all questions and "co-operated fully".

The officer agreed.

Mr McSporran said given the sudden death of a young child there may be "reluctance" at the time from a parent to a post-mortem.

The defence solicitor advocate added: "Mr Herdman was not being obstructive?"

The officer: "No, he was just voicing his opinion."

The trial, before judge Lord Renucci, continues.