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Toddler may have been stamped on | Toddler may have been stamped on |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A forensic pathologist has told a murder trial that toddler Brandon Muir may have died after someone stamped on his stomach. | A forensic pathologist has told a murder trial that toddler Brandon Muir may have died after someone stamped on his stomach. |
The 23-month-old, from Dundee, died in hospital on 16 March last year after suffering a ruptured intestine. | The 23-month-old, from Dundee, died in hospital on 16 March last year after suffering a ruptured intestine. |
Dr Julie MacAdam also told the High Court in Glasgow she could not rule out someone forcing their knee into him. | Dr Julie MacAdam also told the High Court in Glasgow she could not rule out someone forcing their knee into him. |
Robert Cunningham, 23, denies murdering the toddler. Brandon's mother, Heather Boyd, denies culpable homicide. | Robert Cunningham, 23, denies murdering the toddler. Brandon's mother, Heather Boyd, denies culpable homicide. |
Dr MacAdam said she helped carry out a post-mortem examination on the child. A heavy blow such as a punch or a kick, perhaps a stamp or a fall onto a blunt object Julie MacAdamForensic pathologist | Dr MacAdam said she helped carry out a post-mortem examination on the child. A heavy blow such as a punch or a kick, perhaps a stamp or a fall onto a blunt object Julie MacAdamForensic pathologist |
The jury earlier heard how Brandon died from acute peritonitis caused by a ruptured intestine brought on by blunt force abdominal trauma. | The jury earlier heard how Brandon died from acute peritonitis caused by a ruptured intestine brought on by blunt force abdominal trauma. |
Prosecutor James Wolffe QC asked the pathologist: "Are you able to give examples of blunt force abdominal trauma?" | Prosecutor James Wolffe QC asked the pathologist: "Are you able to give examples of blunt force abdominal trauma?" |
She replied: "A heavy blow such as a punch or a kick, perhaps a stamp or a fall onto a blunt object." | She replied: "A heavy blow such as a punch or a kick, perhaps a stamp or a fall onto a blunt object." |
Dr MacAdam, based at Glasgow University, said it would not be "a gradual push", but something of "significant impact". | Dr MacAdam, based at Glasgow University, said it would not be "a gradual push", but something of "significant impact". |
Ms Boyd's QC Donald Findlay later asked if such an injury could be caused by a "driving" of the knee or a part of the foot into the abdomen. | Ms Boyd's QC Donald Findlay later asked if such an injury could be caused by a "driving" of the knee or a part of the foot into the abdomen. |
She told him: "With sufficient force, that could not be excluded." | She told him: "With sufficient force, that could not be excluded." |
'Treated successfully' | |
Mr Cunningham's QC Ian Duguid asked was it not "curious" that there was no external bruising on Brandon relating to the rupture? | |
Dr MacAdam said: "That does not concern me at all, that is not uncommon. People who have fallen great heights or been involved in car crashes have not had external injuries." | Dr MacAdam said: "That does not concern me at all, that is not uncommon. People who have fallen great heights or been involved in car crashes have not had external injuries." |
Consultant paediatric surgeon Dr John Orr said the injury that Brandon suffered was "rare". | |
Dr Orr, based at Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children, backed up earlier evidence that the child would have been in pain adding that any movement would "exacerbate" the suffering. | |
However, he added: "There is no reason to believe that if Brandon was brought to hospital in a reasonable amount of time that he would not have been treated successfully." | |
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, 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. |