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Brandon accused 'was good mother' Mother 'worked as a prostitute'
(about 3 hours later)
A woman accused of killing her 23-month-old son in Dundee told police she was a good mother who would do "anything" for him, a court has heard. A mother accused of killing her 23-month-old son was working as a prostitute in Dundee in the hours before he died, a court has heard.
The jury at the High Court in Glasgow has been shown a DVD of Heather Boyd, 23, being questioned by officers following the death of Brandon Muir.The jury at the High Court in Glasgow has been shown a DVD of Heather Boyd, 23, being questioned by officers following the death of Brandon Muir.
In the recording, Ms Boyd admits shouting and swearing at Brandon. It was said that Ms Boyd admitted to police that she "had gone on the game to pay for smack" last March.
Ms Boyd denies the culpable homicide of her son. Robert Cunningham, 23, denies murdering him in March last year. Ms Boyd denies culpable homicide. Robert Cunningham, 23, denies murder.
In the police interview, Ms Boyd said Brandon was a "clumsy" child, who often "fell or tripped." I never touched him that day Heather Boyd The trial was also told of a statement made by a friend of Ms Boyd - Kelly Marie Parkin, who was a street worker who has since died.
In the statement, Miss Parkin said: "She was doing the same as me, she needed money. Both her and Robert had habits."
She then claimed that she and Boyd were picked up by a "punter" before being driven to the countryside outside Dundee.
Miss Parkin added: "Both me and Heather had sex with him."
Earlier, the trial heard Ms Boyd claim in the police interview that Brandon was a "clumsy" child, who often "fell or tripped." I never touched him that day Heather Boyd
She described Mr Cunningham, who she had started dating a few months earlier, as "caring" and said that he was "good" with Brandon.She described Mr Cunningham, who she had started dating a few months earlier, as "caring" and said that he was "good" with Brandon.
Ms Boyd said that on 15 March, the day Brandon fell ill, her son was "pale" in the morning and later she found him standing at a wall crying.Ms Boyd said that on 15 March, the day Brandon fell ill, her son was "pale" in the morning and later she found him standing at a wall crying.
She broke down as Det Con Paul Romanowski questioned her about the incident.She broke down as Det Con Paul Romanowski questioned her about the incident.
The detective asked: "What has happened to your wee boy, who has hurt him?"The detective asked: "What has happened to your wee boy, who has hurt him?"
She replied: "I never touched him that day."She replied: "I never touched him that day."
He went on: "If it was not you, that's fine. If you know what happened..."He went on: "If it was not you, that's fine. If you know what happened..."
Boyd said: "I don't know."Heather Boyd told police she would do 'anything' for her childrenBoyd said: "I don't know."Heather Boyd told police she would do 'anything' for her children
Ms Boyd said that she once found "strange" bruises near Brandon's hips, but could not state when.Ms Boyd said that she once found "strange" bruises near Brandon's hips, but could not state when.
During an angry exchange, Det Con Romanowski said: "If I am annoying, that's too bad, but your son is dead.During an angry exchange, Det Con Romanowski said: "If I am annoying, that's too bad, but your son is dead.
"We don't know what happened and we need to see if there is anything that can help us. Are you wanting to know how Brandon died?""We don't know what happened and we need to see if there is anything that can help us. Are you wanting to know how Brandon died?"
She replied: "Yes, he was my wee boy."She replied: "Yes, he was my wee boy."
She later told police that she left Brandon, even though he was sick, to meet a prostitute friend to buy heroin.She later told police that she left Brandon, even though he was sick, to meet a prostitute friend to buy heroin.
Det Con Romanowski asked: "Are you a good mum?"Det Con Romanowski asked: "Are you a good mum?"
Ms Boyd replied: "Yes, I would do anything for the kids."Ms Boyd replied: "Yes, I would do anything for the kids."
Ms Boyd was also questioned about an alleged assault where she hit Brandon so hard her hand "tingled".
She replied that she did not mean to hit him so hard.
AssaultsAssaults
Mr Cunningham is accused of murder by assaulting Brandon so severely on 15 March last year 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 on 15 March last year at two flats in Balunie Crescent that he died the following day in hospital.
Mr Cunningham and Ms Boyd also face a charge of repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating Brandon between October 2007 and March 2008.Mr Cunningham and Ms Boyd 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.