NEIL KIRTON FROM AIRDRIE SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR BRUTAL BABY INJURIES IN LANARKSHIRE

In June 2022, a tragic case unfolded in Lanarkshire involving Neil Kirton, a 29-year-old man from Airdrie, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for inflicting severe injuries on a two-month-old baby boy. The incident, which took place at Kirton’s residence in Airdrie, resulted in the infant suffering catastrophic brain damage, leaving him with lasting physical impairments.

Kirton’s actions came to light after the baby was brought to hospital on July 6, 2020. The child appeared pallid, unresponsive, and had not fed since the previous night. Medical examinations revealed injuries consistent with shaking and/or strangulation, indicating a violent assault. The severity of the injuries prompted immediate concern among healthcare professionals, leading to the baby’s urgent transfer to Wishaw General Hospital, where he was subjected to a series of seizures and required intensive care.

Investigations revealed that the assault occurred at Kirton’s home in Airdrie, shortly after the mother of the child had moved in with him along with her other children just days prior to the incident. On the morning of the attack, Kirton had woken early to give the baby a night feed. However, within an hour, he woke the mother to ask if the child was “alright,” raising suspicion about the child’s condition. According to prosecutor Mr. Fyffe, the assault took place after Kirton removed the baby from his Moses basket. Unaware of the gravity of the situation, the mother initially thought her son was simply sleepy, and Kirton returned the child to the basket.

Later that morning, around 7 am, Kirton took the mother and her son to another woman’s house before heading to his work as a laborer. It was at this location that concerns escalated when the baby was found cold, pale, and still not feeding. The mother contacted her general practitioner, who, alarmed by the baby’s condition, ordered him to be taken to Wishaw General Hospital. The baby’s condition worsened as he suffered multiple seizures, and medical staff suspected an abusive head injury caused by violent shaking or strangulation. Further examination uncovered several pin-prick bruises around his neck, which are indicative of forceful handling or injury to the neck area.

Throughout the investigation, Kirton failed to provide a clear explanation for the injuries. He claimed to police that he could not recall what happened and suggested that a toddler might have caused the injuries through rough handling or that he himself might have been “heavy handed” due to inexperience with babies. He also mentioned hearing a “hard knock” after placing the child on his changing mat and expressed feelings of guilt, stating, “This is all my fault. It has been on my watch.” Kirton further told his employer that the baby had been restless during the night, attributing this to the heating being turned off.

Medical assessments revealed that the baby now suffers from weakness on his left side, particularly affecting his left hand. The long-term impact of this impairment remains uncertain, but initial signs suggest that he may be able to lead a relatively normal life in the future. Despite this, the court was informed that the injuries inflicted were life-threatening and caused significant trauma to the child’s developing brain.

During the sentencing at the High Court in Paisley, Lord Arthurson emphasized the gravity of Kirton’s actions. He noted that Kirton had pleaded guilty to assaulting the child, which resulted in severe brain injury, permanent impairment, and a risk to the child’s life. The judge highlighted that Kirton’s account of the events was inconsistent and evasive, with the offender attempting to minimize his responsibility and blame others. Evidence indicated that Kirton had been under the influence of cannabis at the time of the assault and had failed to report or seek help immediately after causing the injuries.

Lord Arthurson detailed the extent of the injuries, including a devastating brain bleed and damage to deeper brain structures, which caused multiple seizures and necessitated ventilatory support. The court also noted the injuries to the child’s neck, which could have resulted from squeezing or strangulation. The judge pointed out that Kirton’s lack of full cooperation and his minimization of the impact demonstrated a concerning disregard for the victim’s suffering.

In his remarks, Lord Arthurson acknowledged Kirton’s limited criminal record, supportive family, and employment history, which were considered in mitigation. However, he stressed that the severity of the offense warranted a substantial custodial sentence. Ultimately, Kirton was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, with the sentence backdated to his initial remand date of March 23, 2022. The judge also ordered that Scottish Ministers be notified of the conviction under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, reflecting the seriousness of the crime and its implications for public safety.