Mum accused of murdering baby daughter 'blamed child for hurting newborn', court hears

A mum accused of murdering her baby daughter claimed she did not know how she would “forgive” the youngster she blames for hurting the child, a trial has heard.

Nicole Blain was said to have made the comment while at the hospital where Thea June Wilson had been rushed to.

Jurors also heard on Thursday how Thea – who was under three weeks old at the time – died from what was described as a “catastrophic” head injury.

Blaine is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 30-year-old is accused of killing Thea at a flat in Greenock, Inverclyde on July 14, 2023.

The child was said to be almost three weeks old at the time.

Prosecutors claim Blain repeatedly shook the baby and inflicted blunt force trauma on her by means unknown.

Blain denies the charge at the trial before judge Lord Scott.

Jurors heard from a social worker who first met Blain in early 2021.

She was in contact with the mum following the birth of Thea on June 25, 2023.

The woman had initially visited Blain’s flat on the morning of the alleged murder. Thea had been in her crib at the time.

The social worker was there again that day, and Blain told her how she was “tired”.

The social worker left and later learned that Thea had been taken by ambulance to hospital.

She also then travelled to Glasgow to see Blain.

Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC asked the woman: “Did you speak to her?”

The witness replied: “Yes. The decision was made by management to go up to see how she was.

“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.”

The trial heard how Blain claimed to Thea’s paternal grandmother that another youngster staying with her had “done” whatever had happened to the baby.

Blain was said to have awoke to find Thea on the floor with no clothes on and a bump to her head.

Another social work colleague also told the court she has spoken with Blain on the morning of July 14 and that she complained of a “rough night’s sleep” with Thea having been crying.

It was said there was still some dinner on plates from the previous evening, and clothes lying out in the flat.

A senior medic who treated Thea after she was rushed to hospital also gave evidence.

The doctor said Thea’s condition was “non-survivable”.

She had suffered extensive bruising and swelling on her head as well as scratches.

The doctor recalled Blain being “distressed” and was noted to have been “finding it difficult because essentially her baby was dying in front of her”.

A support worker told the court how she missed a call from Blain on the afternoon of the alleged killing before phoning her back.

The 50-year-old stated: “Nicole asked me to go to her flat. She said (a child) had taken Thea out of the cot and dropped her.”

She said Blaine sounded “the same Nicole…maybe a bit panicked”.

The witness arrived at the flat and quickly decided to call 999.

She described Thea – who Blain had wrapped in a blanket – as having an “awful colour” and that her “head looked mis-shaped”. The baby also had a scratch under one of her eyes.

The support worker was further made aware that Thea “felt cold” and was not making any noises.

Blain was said to be sitting “in shock” while awaiting the arrival of paramedics before the baby was taken to hospital.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.