Man denies trying to kill baby girl claiming he fell while holding her

Court: MacLennan denies attempting to murder the baby.© Deadline

A man who is accused of trying to murder an 11-week-old baby has denied claims that he deliberately harmed the child.

Derren MacLennan denied claims that he tried to kill the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at a house in the Highlands.

On Monday, the High Court in Edinburgh heard that the 41-year-old was helping the child’s mother by looking after the baby in Tain, Ross-shire.

He told defence QC Mark Stewart on the first day of the third week of his trial that he was holding the girl when he tripped and fell onto the ground.

The child was later rushed to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness after the incident in February 2010. Doctors there she had potentially life threatening injuries.

Prosecutors allege that MacLennan seized the little girl and struck her head against a solid surface or compressed her head in the incident. It has also been claimed that MacLennan told the girl to "stop f*****g crying" before the incident.

But speaking at the start of the defence case on Monday, MacLennan denied trying to kill the little girl. He said that she suffered injuries after he fell over while holding her. He also denied swearing at the infant.

When Mr Stewart asked whether he intended to cause any serious harm to the child, MacLennan replied: "No". Mr Stewart also asked: "It might be suggested to you that you were in a state of anger?" Mr MacLennan then responded "no".

On the first day of the trial, the jury heard from the child's mother who also cannot be identified for legal reasons. She told advocate depute David Young QC that she allowed MacLennan to look after her child while she was in another room in the house when the incident took place.

She told the court that the little girl let out a "horrible" cry, causing her to run into the room where MacLennan was with the baby.

She said: "He was pacing the floor looking really worried. She was lying with her eyes tightly shut. Her arms were down and head straight back. She was blowing bubbles out of her mouth. I took her off him immediately. It was horrible, really horrible."

MacLennan, also of Tain, has pled not guilty to attempted murder in the town on February 23, 2010. The trial, before temporary judge John Morris QC, continues.

People who read this story also read