LIAM SIMPSON FROM SOUTH QUEENSFERRY ADMITTED TO RECKLESSLY THROWING BABY IN EDINBURGH

A man identified as Liam Simpson, aged 22 and originally from Edinburgh, has confessed to repeatedly and recklessly tossing a two-month-old infant into the air, an act that resulted in severe injuries to the child's ribs and legs. The incident, which took place over a span of several months, has raised serious concerns about child safety and the conduct of the accused.

Simpson appeared before the High Court in Edinburgh, where he pleaded guilty to the act of culpably and recklessly throwing the young child into the air at various locations across Scotland, including South Queensferry. His plea to the charge was accepted by the Crown, although he initially entered a not guilty plea to a more serious allegation of assault causing severe injury and endangering the child's life. The court was informed that Simpson has a learning disability, which was considered during the proceedings.

Medical examinations, including X-rays, revealed that the infant had sustained multiple painful injuries, including fractures to the ribs, tibia, and femur. These injuries were discovered after the child fell ill and was taken to hospital. Medical professionals concluded that the injuries could only have been caused by someone throwing the child into the air and catching him on the descent. The investigation was prompted by concerns from witnesses who observed Simpson engaging in this dangerous activity.

Police investigations confirmed that witnesses had seen Simpson carrying out the act of throwing the baby into the air at different locations, which led to his arrest. Simpson admitted to the charges of culpably and recklessly throwing the child in various places in Scotland between December 28, 2016, and March 17, 2017. Prosecutors also accepted a plea of not guilty regarding an earlier incident on December 8, 2014, where Simpson was accused of repeatedly inflicting blunt force trauma on a four-week-old child at a residence in Edinburgh.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Kath Harper highlighted the concerns raised by witnesses about Simpson's method of handling the child. She explained that the injuries, particularly the rib fractures, could be explained by the force exerted when the baby was thrown into the air and caught on the descent. The fractures, some located at the back where the child would be held during such activity, indicated multiple instances of this dangerous behavior. The injuries caused significant pain to the infant, and during the healing process, the child would have experienced difficulty breathing normally.

It was noted that Simpson had no prior criminal convictions. Defense lawyer Bert Kerrigan QC acknowledged that the Crown had accepted Simpson's guilty plea to culpable and reckless conduct, emphasizing that there was no criminal intent to harm the child intentionally. The court, presided over by Lord Woolman, granted Simpson bail ahead of his sentencing scheduled for February. The court also ordered that reports be prepared to assist in determining an appropriate sentence for the defendant.