DUMBARTON MAN STEVEN DAVIDSON SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON SIX-WEEK-OLD BABY

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Dumbarton, Steven Davidson has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for inflicting devastating injuries on a six-week-old baby girl. The incident occurred on October 3, 2012, at a residence in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, where Davidson was caring for the infant while her mother was asleep.

According to court proceedings, Davidson admitted to shaking the baby, an act that resulted in severe and life-threatening brain injuries. The court heard that the young child, now aged two, has been left with profound disabilities, including an inability to sit upright or communicate effectively. She requires constant, round-the-clock care due to the extent of her injuries.

During the sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Scott, the presiding judge, described the consequences of Davidson’s actions as truly tragic. She emphasized that the injuries sustained by the child were catastrophic, posing a significant danger to her life. The judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of the offense and the lasting impact on the young victim.

Defense lawyer Ronnie Renucci acknowledged that Davidson, who was 23 at the time of the incident, was a first-time offender and had taken full responsibility for his actions. Renucci explained that Davidson had been suffering from a toothache and had been awake most of the night. The defense argued that in a moment of distress, Davidson shook the baby once and threw her down, describing the act as a “single moment of madness.”

Medical evidence presented during a previous hearing indicated that the child had been shaken and may have been struck against an object, further complicating her injuries. Originally, Davidson faced charges of attempted murder, but the Crown prosecutor accepted a plea to a reduced charge of causing serious injury.

Prosecutor advocate depute Paul Kearney detailed the extent of the girl’s injuries, stating that she now suffers from an acquired brain injury that has left her with severe physical disabilities. She is unable to sit unaided and has limited movement in her upper limbs. Despite being only two years old, her developmental level is comparable to that of a four or five-month-old infant. She can produce sounds but cannot speak, and although she can smile, laugh, and cry, she cannot communicate her needs effectively.

Furthermore, the child cannot eat solid foods and will require the use of a wheelchair for mobility. Her condition has left her as an engaging but severely disabled child, with her future prospects heavily impacted by the injuries inflicted by Davidson in what has been described as a tragic and preventable incident.