A coroner who was keen to publicise an inquest into the appalling death of a baby girl spent an hour on the phone to a reporter who missed the hearing.

Most media had not been alerted that the inquest was due to be held.

Press Association reporter Victoria Thake called coroner Stuart Fisher on his mobile phone after realising she had missed the inquest in Louth, Lincs, because she had not been aware that it was due to take place.

And after answering her call on his carphone mid-journey, he pulled to the side of the road and spent almost an hour relaying information about the case.

Victoria told Media Lawyer: "I was astounded when he answered, quite obviously on a carphone, and immediately pulled over, retrieved his file from the boot of the car and proceeded to read, chapter and verse, his entire narrative verdict, as well evidence from key witnesses in the case.

"Mr Fisher was so appalled by the baby's death and outraged that the father had thus far gone unpunished that he wanted the press to run the story.

"He was delighted when I rang him and requested more information and only too happy to help."

The inquest concerned the death of a 12-week-old girl in 2003, who had been sexually abused by her father.

It heard how the baby died of a combination of heart disease - she had undergone an operation when she was just four days old - and anal trauma.

Police said there had been an investigation, but that the Crown Prosecution Service had concluded that there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction against anyone.