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Child 'had more than 30 injuries' Mother weeps over boy's injuries
(about 2 hours later)
More than 30 injuries were found on the body of a toddler whose mother is accused of killing him, a court heard. A mother accused of killing her son broke down in tears as a jury was told the boy had suffered about 40 injuries.
One juror cried as details were read out of bruises, abrasions and scratches found on 23-month-old Dundee boy Brandon Muir after his death in March. Heather Boyd, 23, wept as a pathologist described the bruises and scratches he found on the body of Brandon Muir.
The High Court in Glasgow also heard that the toddler had a ruptured intestine and fractured ribs. The 23-month-old also had four cracked ribs, thought to be about three weeks old, and a ruptured intestine.
Brandon's mother, Heather Boyd, denies culpable homicide. Her ex-boyfriend, Robert Cunningham, denies murder. Ms Boyd denies the culpable homicide of her son by failing to get him medical treatment. Robert Cunningham denies murdering the boy in Dundee last March.
Eye abrasions The jury at the High Court in Glasgow was shown photographs of Brandon's body at the post-mortem examination.
On day 11 of the trial, consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Alan Howatson told the court Brandon's ruptured intestine may have been caused by "a single trauma." Consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Alan Howatson listed 36 external areas that were marked, some of which included more than one injury.Heather Boyd started to cry as the injuries were described
The jury was then shown photographs of Brandon's injuries, which were described by Dr Howatson, who read out 36 paragraphs from his notes - some of which described more than one injury. The court heard that Brandon had bruises and cuts on his head, shoulder blades, abdomen, back, hands and abrasions on the inside of his eye.
The court heard that Brandon had bruises on his head and abrasions on the inside of his eye. The doctor said behind a "curved" area of bruising at the pelvis area were about eight abrasions.
He also had bruised arms and circular groups of bruises on his abdomen. He added that some marks may have happened during attempts to resuscitate Brandon when he was rushed to hospital.
Dr Howatson had also recorded marks on the toddler's shoulder blades and a "complex series of injuries" in his pelvis and hip area, which included at least eight abrasions. The trial was adjourned for a time after Ms Boyd broke down during the evidence. A juror had also earlier become distressed while viewing the pictures of Brandon.
There were also bruises of "a fair area" on his lower back. Prosecutor James Wolffe QC later asked Dr Howatson: "What would have caused the injuries to the ribs?"
The court heard that some of the marks around Brandon's chin and mouth may be consistent with efforts to resuscitate him. Dr Howatson replied: "Only a force to the fracture site." He said he could not be certain if this happened at the same time Brandon's intestine was ruptured.
Ms Boyd also wept as the evidence was heard. The doctor added: "All the injuries identified are consistent with blunt force trauma."
Deny chargesDeny charges
Mr Cunningham, 23, 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, 23, 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.
Ms Boyd, also 23, is accused of culpable homicide by failing to get him treatment after the alleged attacks. Ms Boyd is accused of culpable homicide by failing to get him treatment after the alleged attacks.
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 at 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.