Accused mother 'seeking heroin'

Heather Boyd denies the culpable homicide of her son

A woman accused of killing her son was with a prostitute trying to earn money for heroin on the night he died, the High Court in Glasgow has heard.

Brandon Muir, who was 23 months old, died in Dundee's Ninewells Hospital on 16 March after falling ill at his home.

The court was told that social workers had been involved with Brandon one year before his death.

Ms Boyd, 23, denies the culpable homicide of her son. Robert Cunningham, also 23, denies murder.

It is alleged that Ms Boyd killed her son by failing to get him medical treatment after he was assaulted by Mr Cunningham.

Ms Boyd's mother, Veronica, told the court that she never had any concerns about her daughter's love for Brandon and that she "got on well with children".

She said she had not been aware that on the night the boy died her daughter had been out with a prostitute who later died of a drugs overdose.

When asked by Mr Cunningham's QC Ian Duguid if she knew that social work were involved with Brandon a year before his death, she replied: "She said there was no further case to follow up."

Mr Duguid also claimed that a neighbour of Ms Boyd heard her shouting at Brandon that she hated him and could not cope with him.

Earlier in the day, the jury heard of the desperate attempts by emergency services to save Brandon at a flat in Balunie Crescent.

I just wanted to get moving towards the hospital as quickly as possible

Amanda Burnett
Paramedic

Pc David Gibson said: "I took a look at the child and saw that he was not moving. From previous such experience, I noticed that his eyes were not moving and were glazed.

"There was no pulse and breathing, but the body was quite warm."

The jury heard that when Pc Gibson went out into the street he burst into tears.

Paramedic Amanda Burnett told the court that she ran up two flights of stairs to help Brandon.

She said that she ran back down the stairs carrying the child while carrying out mouth-to-resuscitation.

She added: "I just wanted to get moving towards the hospital as quickly as possible."

Ms Burnett said she saw the boy had a bruise on his stomach, his thighs were mottled and discoloured, his face was discoloured and his eyes were sunken.

Ms Boyd and Mr Cunningham also face a charge of repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating Brandon between October 2007 and March 2008.

Ms Boyd is accused of assaulting her son at Douglas Family Centre in Dundee on 5 March last year.

Cunningham is also charged with repeatedly and wilfully ill-treating another young boy at properties in Dundee between October 2007 and March 2008.