LYNSDAY LAWRENCE FROM FALKIRK SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR BRUTAL BABY ATTACK IN EDINBURGH

Lyndsay Lawrence, a woman residing in Camelon near Falkirk, has been handed a four-year prison sentence following her conviction for a horrifying assault on a nine-month-old infant. The incident, which took place while she was entrusted with the child's care, involved severe violence that resulted in life-threatening injuries.

During a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, the court heard detailed accounts of the brutal attack, which included the use of a hairdryer to burn the baby and shaking that caused significant head trauma. The judge, Lord Tyre, described her level of culpability as 'high' and emphasized that her actions left no justification or excuse. The court revealed that the infant suffered a fractured skull, bleeding in the brain, and burns to his bottom, injuries that underscore the severity of the assault.

Initially, Lawrence faced charges of attempted murder on December 4, 2020. However, after a jury trial, she was acquitted of that specific charge. Instead, she was found guilty of causing serious injury through assault and endangering the child's life. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that she inflicted trauma by shaking the infant and deliberately burned him with a hairdryer. Despite her claims of innocence, asserting that the child suddenly became unwell and made strange noises, prosecutors argued convincingly that the injuries were deliberate and non-accidental, attributable solely to her actions.

Detective Constable Jonathan McRitchie highlighted the gravity of her conduct, stating that her actions resulted in significant harm to a vulnerable and defenseless child. The police remain committed to pursuing justice in cases of such cruelty. The court also noted that, despite the injuries, the child was showing signs of recovery months later, appearing happy and alert, which was seen as a positive sign amidst the distressing circumstances.

In her sentencing statement, Lord Tyre detailed the charges and the jury's verdict, clarifying that the original indictment had been significantly reduced, removing references to attempted murder and other allegations. The court confirmed that the injuries inflicted—particularly the head injuries and burns—were the result of deliberate acts, including shaking and the application of a hairdryer.

While noting her continued denial of causing the injuries and her apparent lack of insight into the harm caused, the judge acknowledged her mental health difficulties, drug use, and negative peer influences as risk factors. The social work report indicated that her cooperation with supervision had been poor, and she posed a medium risk of reoffending.

Lord Tyre emphasized that the injuries inflicted on the infant were clearly intentional, with blows to the head and shaking being particularly egregious. The burns, caused by the deliberate use of a hairdryer, further demonstrated her reckless disregard for the child's safety. Although the child has made a good recovery, the judge stressed that such injuries could have been fatal and that her position of trust made her actions even more reprehensible.

Given the circumstances, the judge decided to impose a single cumulative sentence of four years, backdated to April 19, 2024, when she was remanded in custody. He also underscored that her release from prison would depend heavily on her full cooperation with support services and ongoing medical treatment, which should continue despite her incarceration. The court's decision sends a stark message about the seriousness of harming vulnerable children and the importance of holding offenders accountable for such heinous acts.