Father of girl says he has 'no sympathy' for woman who tried to kill child by feeding her antidepressants

A father whose child was fed antidepressants by a woman in a bid to kill the little girl says he has “no sympathy” for her, after she was jailed for at least six years.

Laura Docherty gave the little girl antidepressants and pain-killing drugs, which resulted in the child needing to be resuscitated and placed on a ventilator.

The 35-year-old, formerly of Glenrothes in Fife, denied attempting to murder the infant during an earlier trial, but was unanimously convicted of the crime by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Trial judge Michael O’Grady KC described Docherty’s actions as “utterly reckless and breathtakingly wicked”.

On Monday, she was handed an Order for Lifelong Restriction at the High Court in Edinburgh and ordered to serve at least six years in prison before she can seek to apply for parole.

Laura Docherty was sentenced to six years with a lifelong restriction order at the Edinburgh High Court Alan Simpson

Judge O’Grady told her she would most likely spend “a significant period of years in custody”.

Following Docherty’s sentencing, the child’s father spoke to STV News and said he was glad she had been handed a jail term.

He told STV News: “I don’t feel any sympathy for that woman, none at all. I think she is where she is meant to be now, out of the public, away from children.

“I think she belongs in jail, and I hope, I really hope that they do not let her out.

“Now that she’s been sentenced, I feel there is a weight off my shoulder. I can now tell my child when she’s older what happened. I feel like I’ve got that closure now, for not just me but for my child.”

Docherty ‘pathologically craved’ attention

During the trial, jurors heard how Docherty repeatedly administered Amitriptyline, Propranolol and Dihydrocodeine to the girl to the danger of her life.

As a result, the girl suffered seizures and episodes of reduced consciousness and required resuscitation, admission to hospital and being placed on a ventilator.

She was also subjected to unnecessary medical investigations and procedures following Docherty’s actions.

On one occasion, while a paramedic fought to save the girl’s life, Docherty responded by filming the episode.

The court also heard that while the toddler was being treated in hospital, Docherty pulled the curtain around the child’s bed. A pill packet was heard being popped open, and Docherty either gave or tried to give the girl even more drugs.

Jurors heard the girl survived the ordeal thanks to the considerable skill of paramedics and doctors.

During Monday’s sentencing, Judge O’Grady said: “You did this to an already sick child in the very place where others were attempting to make her well and whole again.

“The word wicked is an old fashioned word but there are times when no other will suffice.

“It is absolutely plain, what you did, you did to produce a never-ending medical drama and put yourself at the centre of it, thus getting the attention which, for want of a better adverb, you so obviously pathologically craved.”

‘Abhorrent abuse’

Following Monday’s sentencing, detective constable Gemma Warriner said Docherty “repeatedly blamed others” during the child’s ordeal.

She said: “This was prolonged and abhorrent abuse of a young child, which resulted in numerous stays in hospital. Throughout the investigation, Docherty took no responsibility for her actions and repeatedly blamed others.

“Cases where children are subjected to harm can often be difficult to deal with, however, we are committed to investigating such incidents fully and ensuring those responsible are held accountable. I hope today’s sentence brings some comfort to the family.”