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Mother 'threatened to sell child' 'Shouts heard' at dead boy's flat
(about 2 hours later)
A mother accused of killing her young son once told a child that he was going to be sold, a court has heard. A man was heard shouting loudly in a Dundee flat the day it is alleged a toddler was attacked so severely that he later died, a court has heard.
Heather Boyd was said to have made the comment at the flat where she lived with 23-month-old son Brandon Muir. Robert Cunningham, 23, denies murdering 23-month-old Brandon Muir last March. Brandon's mother Heather Boyd, also 23, denies culpable homicide.
Her former boyfriend Robert Cunningham, 23, denies murdering Brandon in Dundee last year. Ms Boyd, also 23, denies a charge of culpable homicide. A witness told the High Court in Glasgow that the man was shouting but "nothing was coming back at him".
Brandon was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital on 16 March after falling ill at his home. Earlier, the court heard that Ms Boyd had once threatened to sell a child.
Childrens' worker Joseph Hepburn told the High Court in Glasgow that he was a regular visitor to the Balunie Crescent flat of one of Ms Boyd's neighbours. Heard swearing
Heard shouting Ms Boyd was said to have made the comment at the flat in Balunie Crescent where she lived with Brandon.
Childrens' worker Joseph Hepburn told the court that he was a regular visitor to the home of one of Ms Boyd's neighbours.
Prosecutor James Wolffe QC asked the 53-year-old if he had heard any voices in Ms Boyd's flat.Prosecutor James Wolffe QC asked the 53-year-old if he had heard any voices in Ms Boyd's flat.
He replied: "Just Heather shouting at the bairn, more or less."He replied: "Just Heather shouting at the bairn, more or less."
Mr Wolffe asked: "How did you know it was the child?"Mr Wolffe asked: "How did you know it was the child?"
Mr Hepburn replied: "Things she said. The main one that I remember was the way that she swore at the bairn and [said] that the child was going to be sold."Mr Hepburn replied: "Things she said. The main one that I remember was the way that she swore at the bairn and [said] that the child was going to be sold."
Mr Cunningham's counsel, Tim Niven-Smith, asked if the comments had led to him taking any action.Mr Cunningham's counsel, Tim Niven-Smith, asked if the comments had led to him taking any action.
Mr Hepburn replied: "It was like you wanted to go up and say to Heather: 'Do you want us to take the child for an hour until you calm down?' But we never did that."Mr Hepburn replied: "It was like you wanted to go up and say to Heather: 'Do you want us to take the child for an hour until you calm down?' But we never did that."
Another of Ms Boyd's neighbours told the court she heard a man shouting on 15 March. The next day Brandon was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital.
Marlene Watt said: "It was not right, it was really strong. It was different and really loud. It would not stop and just kept going on and on."
The 39-year-old said that "nothing was coming back at him".
Ms Watt added that she was "scared" by the voice and was so upset she texted her sister about it.
Ms Boyd's QC Donald Findlay asked her: "He was dominating whoever was present?"
She replied: "Yes."
Medical helpMedical help
Mr Cunningham is accused of murder by assaulting Brandon so severely last 15 March at two flats in Balunie Crescent that he died the following day in hospital. Mr Cunningham is accused of murder by assaulting Brandon so severely last March at two flats in Balunie Crescent that he died the following day in hospital.
Ms Boyd is charged with culpable homicide by failing to get her son medical help as a result of Mr Cunningham's alleged assault.Ms Boyd is charged with culpable homicide by failing to get her son medical help as a result of Mr Cunningham's alleged assault.
The pair also face a charge of repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating Brandon between October 2007 and March 2008.The pair also face a charge of repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating Brandon between October 2007 and March 2008.
Ms Boyd is accused of assaulting her son at Douglas Family Centre in Dundee on 5 March last year.Ms Boyd is accused of assaulting her son at Douglas Family Centre in Dundee on 5 March last year.
Mr Cunningham is also charged with repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating another young boy properties in Dundee between October 2007 and March 2008. Mr Cunningham is also charged with repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating another young boy at properties in Dundee between October 2007 and March 2008.
The pair deny all charges.The pair deny all charges.
The trial, before Judge John Morris QC, continues.The trial, before Judge John Morris QC, continues.