Lyndsay Lawrence jailed for burning baby boy with hairdryer and fracturing his skull in Camelon attack
A woman who burned a nine-month-old baby boy’s bottom with a hairdryer and fractured his skull has been jailed for four years.
Lyndsay Lawrence, 29, attacked the infant at an address in Camelon, Falkirk, on 4 December 2020 while looking after him for his mother.
A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told her they were “undoubtedly serious offences”.
Lord Tyre stated: “Blows to a baby’s head and shaking are obviously intentional injuries.
“There can be no excuse whatever for the infliction of such injuries on a small and vulnerable child entrusted to your care.”
The judge added: “To make matters worse, they were committed while you were in a position of trust in relation to the child.”
Lawrence, formerly of Camelon, denied any wrongdoing but was convicted last month following a trial.
Advocate depute Lynsey Rodger told the court that the boy’s demeanour changed after being left alone with Lawrence.
The prosecutor said up until that point, he had not been suffering from a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and significant burns to his bottom.
Ms Rodger stated: “There was a high pitch shriek, a grunt or a noise. His eyes went back. He was rigid and then he was floppy. He wasn’t normal at that point.
“There is only one person that knows what happened to the baby on 4 December. That person is the person who caused the injuries.”
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The prosecutor said the injuries were “non-accidental” and “deliberate”.
She added: “The evidence, when you put it together, tells you that the person who caused the injuries is the accused.”
Lawrence, who sought help for the boy when he became ill, denied that she hit or dropped him.
The jury deleted a charge of attempted murder and instead found Lawrence guilty of assaulting the boy to his severe injury and to the danger of his life.
She was also convicted of wilfully exposing the child to unnecessary suffering or injury.
Sentencing Lawrence on Tuesday, Lord Tyre stated: “The jury were clearly satisfied that you inflicted the baby’s head injuries, including but not restricted to those caused by shaking him.
“They were satisfied on the evidence that those injuries were of sufficient severity to cause danger to his life.
“They were also satisfied that you had burned him on the bottom with a hairdryer.”
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The court heard Lawrence continues to deny injuring the boy.
Lord Tyre added: “And it appears that you have little insight into the harm that you have caused.”
The judge told jurors that it was a “rather distressing and unpleasant case” but noted that the boy “happily appears” to have made a “good recovery” from his injuries.
Following the court case, Detective Constable Jonathan McRitchie said: “Lawrence’s actions resulted in serious injuries to a defenceless child and she will now face the consequences.
“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable, and her conviction should send out a clear message that Police Scotland is committed to bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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