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Accused 'tried to save dying boy' Accused 'tried to save dying boy'
(about 1 hour later)
A couple accused of killing a Dundee toddler battled to save him, a court has heard.A couple accused of killing a Dundee toddler battled to save him, a court has heard.
Brandon Muir, who was 23-months-old, died on 16 March last year.Brandon Muir, who was 23-months-old, died on 16 March last year.
The High Court in Glasgow was shown a police interview where Robert Cunningham, 23, spoke of the efforts to try to revive Brandon.The High Court in Glasgow was shown a police interview where Robert Cunningham, 23, spoke of the efforts to try to revive Brandon.
Mr Cunningham denies murdering the toddler. The boy's mother, Heather Boyd, denies culpable homicide by failing to get him medical help.Mr Cunningham denies murdering the toddler. The boy's mother, Heather Boyd, denies culpable homicide by failing to get him medical help.
Mouth to mouthMouth to mouth
In the police interview, Mr Cunningham said that Brandon had been sick the day before he died. In the police interview, Mr Cunningham was asked what happened on 15 March, the day Brandon became sick.
He said he put Brandon down on the settee before falling asleep. He was then woken by Ms Boyd's screams. He described how he gave the child breakfast that morning and that he was "perfect."
He told the police he lifted Brandon's head to his ear but he did not hear anything. Mr Cunningham said that later in the day he twice gave the boy a telling off for trying to climb onto a window ledge.
The couple then dialled 999 and Ms Boyd tried to do mouth to mouth resuscitation. He claimed he "tapped" the child on the hand and told him to stand at a wall.
Mr Cunningham said that Ms Boyd was struggling so he took over and tried to resuscitate Brandon for five to 10 minutes. He added: "I just told him to stay there, he was crying but that was only because I shouted at him."
Then the police came and the ambulance arrived to rush him away. I understand what you are saying that his stomach burst, but I honestly don't know how it happened Robert Cunningham
Brandon was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital. Later in the evening Brandon began vomiting brown liquid, which Ms Boyd put down to a 24-hour bug, he told police.
Brandon was later placed on the couch where he fell asleep and Mr Cunningham then also dozed off.
He was woken by Ms Boyd's screams.
He said: "Brandon was lifted up and I put my ear to his head. Didn't feel nothing, didn't hear nothing."
They dialled 999 and Mr Cunningham explained how he and Ms Boyd "tried and tried" giving the boy mouth to mouth before paramedics rushed him to hospital.
He said he had been giving mouth to mouth for about five to 10 minutes.
Brandon was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital having suffered fatal acute peritonitis caused by a ruptured intestine brought on by blunt force abdominal trauma.
Det Sgt Colin Gall asked: "You understand what caused Brandon's death?"
Mr Cunningham told him: "I understand what you are saying that his stomach burst, but I honestly don't know how it happened.
He said Brandon used to fall all the time.
Det Sgt Gall asked: "Did he hurt himself that Saturday?"
Mr Cunningham replied: "I honestly don't know."
AssaultsAssaults
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 15 March at two flats in Balunie Crescent that he died the following day in hospital.
Mr Cunningham and Ms Boyd, 23, also face a charge of repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating Brandon between October 2007 and March 2008.Mr Cunningham and Ms Boyd, 23, 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.