DAMIEN MENZIES SHAKES BABY IN BATHGATE: HORRIFIC ATTACK LEAVES INFANT PERMANENTLY INJURED

In June 2016, a disturbing case unfolded involving a truck driver named Damien Menzies, whose violent actions resulted in life-altering injuries to a 26-day-old baby. The incident took place in Livingston, but the repercussions extended to Bathgate, where Menzies’s family resides, and later to Kent, where he moved after the attack.

According to court proceedings, Menzies was accused of violently shaking the infant, an act that caused severe brain damage. The young child, who was only three weeks old at the time, suffered injuries so grave that he now faces a future marked by significant physical and developmental challenges. The court heard that the baby is unable to walk or talk, and remains profoundly affected by the trauma inflicted upon him.

The tragic event occurred on October 10, 2014, during a visit to a dance show at Deans Community High School in Livingston. The baby’s mother testified that Menzies, who had volunteered to take care of her child temporarily, had been responsible for changing the infant’s nappy. Less than fifteen minutes after Menzies took custody of the baby, he returned with the child lying in his arms, appearing “blue” and “lifeless.”

The mother described her child as being so limp and floppy that it seemed as if the baby had no bones, a description that underscored the severity of the injuries. She further explained that her child, now approximately 18 months old, still exhibits characteristics similar to a newborn, with most developmental milestones yet to be achieved.

During the trial, the jury was presented with evidence that Menzies had repeatedly denied shaking the baby. However, the medical evidence and testimonies painted a different picture, indicating that the injuries were consistent with violent shaking, which resulted in permanent brain damage and posed a life-threatening risk.

Menzies, who previously served in the Armed Forces before becoming a long-distance truck driver operating articulated HGVs, showed no visible emotion or remorse as the verdict was read. The court found him guilty of attempting to murder the infant, a charge that reflects the gravity of his actions.

The judge, Lady Scott, ordered a background report on Menzies and announced that sentencing would take place at the High Court in Edinburgh on July 19. She emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “You will appreciate in terms of the verdict of the court that this is a very serious matter. You will be remanded in custody.”

While Menzies’s family, based in Bathgate, expressed their support, he has since relocated to Kent. The case has drawn significant attention due to the brutality of the attack and the devastating impact on the young victim’s life.