A mother who blamed a toddler for the death of her 19-day-old daughter has been found guilty of murder, after her lies were branded 'nonsense' in court. Nicole Blain, 30, lost her temper as she struggled to cope with newborn Thea June Wilson at her flat in Greenock, Glasgow, in July 2023.
Catastrophic Injuries
A trial at the High Court heard the baby girl suffered 'catastrophic' injuries including broken ribs and three skull fractures, suggesting blunt force trauma. Footage of a 'gender reveal' posted on TikTok re-emerged after the trial, showing Blain clutching a knife as a female friend holds a black balloon. After a brief delay, an irate-looking mother-to-be pops it, sending pink confetti into the air to confirm she is having a girl. Blain then stomps off before sticking her middle finger up at someone recording the moment.
Attempted Cover-Up
In court, Blain insisted she loved Thea, a claim she also made in texts to the baby's grandmother, Laura Wilson. Thea suffered a string of catastrophic injuries including three skull fractures, brain damage, and bleeding behind the eyes. These were consistent with the baby being violently shaken and repeatedly hit off a hard floor, wall, or furniture.
In a cover-up bid, Blain argued she had woken from a nap to find her daughter stricken on the floor and went on to claim another child also in the flat had 'done' whatever happened to Thea. The lies were branded 'nonsense' by prosecutors. A pathologist effectively ruled out that Thea could have been fatally hurt by being dropped by the toddler, and Blain was found guilty of murder.
Sentencing
Lord Scott told her: 'I will be passing a life sentence. I do want more information about you before deciding the length of the punishment part. In the meantime, you will be remanded in custody.' Blain, who had been on bail, cried hysterically as she was led handcuffed to the cells. She will return to the dock next month.
Background
Thea was described during the trial as 'perfect' when she was born on June 25, 2023. But after the birth, Blain claimed to be 'struggling' with post-natal depression. Thea's paternal grandmother, Laura Wilson, gave evidence, saying the last time she saw the baby was on July 8, 2023. She said Thea had been 'fantastic' and she had no worries about her.
On the day of the killing, there was a plan for Blain to take the child to Mrs Wilson's home in Ayrshire. But around 2pm that afternoon, the grandmother's husband, Alan, took a call from Blain. Mr Wilson, 59, told jurors: 'I could hear screaming. I had never heard anything like it. It was piercing and extremely loud. I thought it was an older child doing it, but then I realised it was the baby who was screaming. She (Blain) did mumble "I do not know what to do". She did not sound right. I said "hang up and phone an ambulance".'
Mrs Wilson also spoke with the mother on the phone, telling the court: 'She said she had found Thea on the floor with no clothes on and had a bump on her head.' She rushed to the hospital to find her grand-daughter before questioning Blain on what had happened. Mrs Wilson told the court: 'She said that it was (another child also staying with her) who had done it.' Blain insisted she had woken up and found Thea out of her crib and on the floor.
Thea did not recover, and it was concluded the baby had suffered 'significant non-accidental head trauma'. As well as the skull fractures, Thea also had injuries to her ribs consistent with her chest being pressed. The baby's neck was also hurt, which could have been from 'forceful' movement back and forwards of her head. Pathologist Leighanne Deboys told the jury a combination of Thea being shaken and impact with a hard surface would account for the injuries, described by another medic as similar to those suffered by a car crash victim.
Another witness Blain is said to have lied to was social worker Stacey Jones. Miss Jones, 35, met with the mother in the hospital shortly after the attack. She told the trial: 'She was extremely distressed. The only thing I can recall her saying was "I do not know how I will forgive (another child) for this" or words to that effect.'
Blain's Testimony
Blain also testified during her trial and sobbed as she claimed her daughter's death was 'a tragic accident'. She said she took a nap that day with Thea asleep in her crib and was awoken by a neighbour at the door, claiming not to have initially seen the now apparently naked baby on the floor. Blain said she did not know for definite what happened to Thea, but that 'never in a million years' would she have harmed her. She also denied 'throwing (the other child) under the bus' by claiming she had been responsible.
Blain told the court: 'I can remember the trauma of finding my daughter. I will never get it out of my head. My baby died in my arms.' Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC said any suggestion another child could have caused the injuries was 'just nonsense'. He stated Blain had hurt the baby before realising she was in a 'lot of trouble'. Blain denied this, adding: 'In my eyes, (the other child) did not kill Thea. What happened to Thea was a tragic accident. The only thing to blame was me being asleep and that is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.'
Sentencing was deferred on Blain, who had a minor previous assault conviction. After the verdict, Lord Scott told jurors the trial was a 'thankfully unusual case involving the murder of a baby'.
