The jury in the "salt boy" murder case was due to be sent out today (Wednesday) to consider its verdicts.

Ian and Angela Gay are accused of killing three-year-old Christian Blewitt after becoming disenchanted with him, five weeks into a trial adoption.

He was taken in a coma to hospital by 37-year-old Mr Gay on December 8, 2002. But the tot died four days later.

The prosecution at Worcester Crown Court allege Christian was forcibly fed up to four teaspoonfuls of salt as a punishment for being naughty.

It was also claimed he suffered a blow to the head or was shaken, resulting in 11 areas of bruising in his brain. The brain swelled inside his skull and cut off the oxygen supply.

The Gays, formerly of Greyfriars Drive, Bromsgrove, deny murder, manslaughter and child cruelty.

Mr Justice Pitchers spent yesterday (Tuesday) summing up the seven-week case to the jury of six men and six women.

Prosecutor Julia Macur QC said Christian did not conform to their idea of the perfect family and they quickly became disillusioned with him.

Former electrical engineer Mr Gay and his 38-year-old actuary wife insist they never fed him salt or caused any violence.

They suggest Christian - who was up for adoption along with his brother and sister - died from natural causes but could have "administered" salt to himself behind their backs.

Mr Gay also suggested to police that a minor knock may have triggered an unknown condition.

Mrs Gay denied they lost their tempers with Christian, a difficult child who suffered neglect while with his natural mother.

She told the jury: "I am totally innocent. We have been through hell for two years."

The Gays said Christian began craving drinks on his final weekend with them and was sick. Given his warmed-up dinner, he threw it onto the floor.

He was taken upstairs and put into his sister's cot, where he was found comatose ten minutes later. Defence lawyers warned the jury not to be taken in by expert medical witnesses, on the basis that those with "the best bedside manner" were the more convincing.

There was no evidence of a blow or shaking and they described Christian's case as unique.