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03/03/2009
Man Found Guilty Of Baby Brandon Killing
A 23-year-old man has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend's young son.
Robert Cunningham, denied murdering 23-month-old Brandon Muir, who died in Dundee in March 2008 after suffering a catalogue of injuries.
However, Cunningham was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.
The court heard the toddler died from a ruptured intestine after being assaulted by Cunningham - partner of the child's mother, Heather Boyd.
Ms Boyd, also 23, was last week cleared of charges including Brandon's culpable homicide.
The child's mother, who the court heard worked as a prostitute to earn money for heroin on the night her son became ill, told detectives she thought he had a 24-hour bug, which he had suffered from on a previous occasion.
During the trial, doctors from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee said that "blunt force" would have caused Brandon's injury and the child would have been in severe pain before he died.
His injuries included broken ribs and a ruptured intestine.
Medical experts said the injuries had been caused by a "massive blow" to his stomach area.
Cunningham was convicted of killing Brandon after being cleared of wilfully ill-treating him in the six months leading to his death and ill-treating another young child during the same period.
The jury took one hour and 25 minutes to return the majority verdict of culpable homicide.
Judge John Morris deferred sentence until 31 March for background reports.
(JM/BMcC)
Robert Cunningham, denied murdering 23-month-old Brandon Muir, who died in Dundee in March 2008 after suffering a catalogue of injuries.
However, Cunningham was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.
The court heard the toddler died from a ruptured intestine after being assaulted by Cunningham - partner of the child's mother, Heather Boyd.
Ms Boyd, also 23, was last week cleared of charges including Brandon's culpable homicide.
The child's mother, who the court heard worked as a prostitute to earn money for heroin on the night her son became ill, told detectives she thought he had a 24-hour bug, which he had suffered from on a previous occasion.
During the trial, doctors from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee said that "blunt force" would have caused Brandon's injury and the child would have been in severe pain before he died.
His injuries included broken ribs and a ruptured intestine.
Medical experts said the injuries had been caused by a "massive blow" to his stomach area.
Cunningham was convicted of killing Brandon after being cleared of wilfully ill-treating him in the six months leading to his death and ill-treating another young child during the same period.
The jury took one hour and 25 minutes to return the majority verdict of culpable homicide.
Judge John Morris deferred sentence until 31 March for background reports.
(JM/BMcC)
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31 March 2009
Man Jailed For Toddler's Death
A 23-year-old man has today been jailed for the death of his girlfriend's toddler. Robert Cunningham, from Dundee, was found guilty of the culpable homicide of 23-month-old Brandon Muir, who died on March 15, last year after suffering a ruptured intestine.
Man Jailed For Toddler's Death
A 23-year-old man has today been jailed for the death of his girlfriend's toddler. Robert Cunningham, from Dundee, was found guilty of the culpable homicide of 23-month-old Brandon Muir, who died on March 15, last year after suffering a ruptured intestine.
28 January 2009
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
18 August 2008
One Air Crash Body Recovered
After yesterday's shock mid-air collision between a small aircraft and a microlight-type aircraft, an operation to recover the remaining bodies of the people killed is due to continue today.
One Air Crash Body Recovered
After yesterday's shock mid-air collision between a small aircraft and a microlight-type aircraft, an operation to recover the remaining bodies of the people killed is due to continue today.
10 December 2009
Child Obesity 'Levelling Off'
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Child Obesity 'Levelling Off'
New figures have suggested escalating child obesity in the UK is beginning to level off, however, rates are still too high, according to the government. The National Child Measurement Programme suggested families are benefiting from knowing the facts about their child's weight.
03 August 2009
NSPCC Calls Rise After Death Of Baby P
More people are calling the NSPCC Helpline about serious child abuse since the death of Baby Peter two years ago. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the 24-hour freephone service passed on 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years.
NSPCC Calls Rise After Death Of Baby P
More people are calling the NSPCC Helpline about serious child abuse since the death of Baby Peter two years ago. Between April 2008 and March 2009, the 24-hour freephone service passed on 11,243 suspected child protection cases to police or social services - an increase of more than a third over two years.
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