Spanish child murder suspect worked for Cumbria council social work

A mother suspected of murdering her two children in Spain, had worked for Cumbria County Council’s child services department, the authority has revealed.

Lianne Smith, 43, is being held on suspicion of killing Rebecca, five, and 11-month-old Daniel, who were found in a hotel room in Lloret de Mar.

Their father Martin Smith, 45, appeared in court in Carlisle on unrelated child sex offences on Wednesday.

The council said Mrs Smith devised out-of-school activities.

Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on the bodies of the two children later.

Cumbria County Council said Mrs Smith was employed as a manager in the authority’s children’s services department, but did not work directly with children.

She was responsible for devising out-of-school activities throughout the county for the benefit of pupils, parents and the community.

Her daughter Rebecca was referred by police to the council’s social care team following their inquiries into allegations faced by Martin Smith.

Child protection procedures were put in place before the matter was passed to social services in Staffordshire, where Mrs Smith and her daughter moved in October 2007.

In a statement, council said: “Lianne Smith worked for Cumbria County Council’s children’s services directorate from September 2005 to August 2007.

“She worked as an extended schools remodelling adviser, which entailed working with head teachers and school staff in developing additional services. She did not work directly with children.

“Rebecca Martine Smith was referred by Cumbria Constabulary to our children’s social care team in August 2007 following their investigations into Martin Smith.

“Cumbria County Council carried out initial assessments and strategy discussions took place with our safeguarding partners in line with child protection procedures.

“Rebecca and her family moved to Staffordshire in October 2007. At that stage all relevant safeguarding information was passed to social services in Staffordshire, and Cumbria County Council closed its case in November 2007.”

Mr Smith, of North Shields, was extradited from Spain over 13 charges of sexual offences against a girl aged between seven and 18 and for failing to answer police bail.