JAMES MACDONALD SHAKES BABY IN GLASGOW: CHILD INJURED IN BAILLIYSTON FLAT CRISIS

A young man from Glasgow, James MacDonald, has narrowly avoided imprisonment after a disturbing incident involving a baby girl in his care. The incident took place at his flat in Baillieston between January and March 2022, where MacDonald’s actions resulted in serious harm to the infant.

According to court proceedings, MacDonald, aged 21 at the time, was responsible for physically assaulting the young girl. The court heard that he seized her body, lifted her, and repeatedly compressed her torso in an attempt to stop her crying. The most alarming part of the incident was that he also shook the baby multiple times, actions that caused significant injury and posed a danger to her life.

During the trial, it was revealed that MacDonald was a first-time offender. His co-accused, Jennifer Mair, aged 20, had her charge of assault dropped midway through the proceedings. Both individuals had lodged defenses that involved blaming each other for the injuries sustained by the child.

Sheriff Iain Fleming sentenced MacDonald to perform 300 hours of unpaid community work and placed him under supervision for a period of 18 months. In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Fleming emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “You are aware that this was a serious crime. I have considered your age, lack of a criminal record, and the young persons’ sentencing guidelines. I have decided that custody is not necessary.”

MacDonald, who was unemployed at the time, told the court that he was watching over the girl while Mair went for a bath. He admitted that the crying had caused him frustration and that he attempted to soothe her in an unconventional manner by standing her on his knees. He claimed he was unaware of the injuries until the baby was taken to hospital.

He attempted to shift blame onto Mair, stating, “I put her in my hands and stood her on my knees. I can’t use the word shook as that got me into trouble before.” MacDonald further explained, “I got her in a way that was unorthodox – I tried to calm her down.” He expressed shock upon seeing the injuries, saying, “I didn’t know how to react, usually my face is deadpan.”

Police records include MacDonald’s statement, in which he admitted to shaking the girl twice out of frustration because she would not stop crying. He explained that he “stood up and shook her to get her to stop.”

Medical reports from the hospital visit on March 23, 2022, confirmed that the girl had bruising on her cheek, below her right eye, and across her back. Both the infant and MacDonald tested positive for Covid-19 at the time of the incident.

During the court hearing, defense lawyer Charles Ferguson argued that an alternative to custody was appropriate, given the circumstances surrounding the case.