A woman who blamed a toddler for the death of her newborn daughter has been sentenced for murder. Nicole Blain, 30, lost her temper while caring for 19-day-old Thea June Wilson at her flat in Greenock, Renfrewshire, on July 14, 2023.
Catastrophic Injuries
The infant suffered a series of catastrophic injuries, including three skull fractures, brain damage, and bleeding behind the eyes. These were consistent with being violently shaken and repeatedly hit against a hard floor, wall, or furniture. In a sick cover-up bid, Blain claimed she woke from a nap to find her daughter stricken on the floor and alleged that another child in the flat had caused the harm. Prosecutors branded these lies as 'nonsense'. A pathologist effectively ruled out the possibility that a child could have inflicted such fatal injuries.
Guilty Verdict
Blain was found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. 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 court next month for sentencing.
The Baby's Perfect Start
Thea was described as 'perfect' when she was born on June 25, 2023. However, after the birth, Blain claimed to be struggling with postnatal depression. Thea's paternal grandmother, Laura Wilson, told the court she last saw the baby on July 8 and described her as 'fantastic'. On the day of the killing, there was a plan for Blain to take the child to Mrs Wilson's home in Ayrshire.
Mrs Wilson recalled a phone call from Blain around 2pm: '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. She did not sound right. I said "hang up and phone an ambulance".' Blain claimed she had found Thea on the floor with no clothes on and a bump on her head.
Medical Evidence
Thea did not recover from what was described as 'significant non-accidental head trauma'. She also had rib injuries consistent with chest compression and neck injuries from forceful head movement. Pathologist Leighanne Deboys said a combination of shaking and impact with a hard surface accounted for the injuries, which another medic likened to those of a car crash victim.
Blain's Defence
Blain testified, sobbing that her daughter's death was 'a tragic accident', but admitted she did not know exactly what happened. She denied harming Thea or 'throwing the other child under the bus'. Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC argued that any suggestion another child caused the injuries was 'just nonsense', stating Blain hurt the baby before realising she was in trouble. Blain replied: 'In my eyes, the other child did not kill Thea. 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 for reports. After the verdict, Lord Scott told jurors this was a 'thankfully unusual case involving the murder of a baby'.
