DOUGLAS COOPER FROM BONNYRIGG SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON BABY IN MIDLOTHIAN

In June 2011, a tragic and disturbing case unfolded in the courts of Edinburgh involving Douglas Cooper, a 24-year-old man from Bonnyrigg, who was convicted of inflicting severe injuries on his eight-month-old daughter. The incident, which took place at an address in Midlothian, shocked the local community and drew significant media attention due to the brutality of the assault.

According to court proceedings, Cooper was found guilty of attempting to murder his infant daughter after she sustained injuries so severe that they were comparable to those typically seen in children involved in serious road traffic accidents or falls from significant heights. The court heard that the child's injuries included complex fractures to her skull in three separate locations, a trauma that required urgent medical intervention.

During the trial, medical professionals testified that the injuries appeared consistent with high-impact trauma, and they dismissed Cooper’s claim that the injuries resulted from an accidental fall when the child was in his arms. The jury was presented with evidence indicating that the injuries were inflicted through violent assault, and they ultimately convicted Cooper of attempted murder, rejecting his assertion that the injuries were accidental.

Throughout the proceedings, Cooper maintained his innocence, asserting that the injury was an accident caused when the child fell from his arms. However, the court found that the injuries involved 'gross violence' and that the circumstances of the incident pointed to deliberate harm. The judge, temporary High Court judge John Beckett QC, described the crime as 'grave' and emphasized the severity of the injuries sustained by the infant.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Beckett highlighted that Cooper, a first-time offender, had not provided a satisfactory explanation for the injuries. He noted that the initial suspicion at the hospital was that the injuries might have been caused by an infection, but Cooper’s failure to disclose what had happened raised further concerns. The judge also suggested that Cooper's loss of temper and frustration over the crying baby, who was upsetting his plans to watch a football match, might have contributed to the assault.

As part of his sentence, Cooper was sentenced to nine years in prison, with an additional three years on licence following his release. The court also ordered that he be subject to supervision during this period to monitor his conduct post-release.

The baby's mother, aged 26 and whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, provided testimony that painted a picture of neglect and distress. She explained that she had left Cooper in charge of their child while she went out to play darts. Upon returning, she received a panicked phone call from Cooper, who reported that the baby was not breathing properly and appeared unwell. When she arrived home, she found her daughter lying motionless on a sofa, gasping for breath. Medical scans later confirmed that the child's skull had been fractured in three places, a finding that underscored the severity of the assault.

The court heard that Cooper was found guilty of assaulting the child through means that remain unspecified, causing her severe injury and putting her life at risk. The charges related to permanent disfigurement and impairment were dropped, but the conviction for attempted murder stood. Defense advocate Jim Keegan QC stated that Cooper did not accept criminal responsibility for the injuries but acknowledged the jury’s verdict, recognizing the seriousness of the case.

This case has left a lasting impact on the community of Bonnyrigg and Midlothian, highlighting the devastating consequences of violence against the most vulnerable members of society.