STUART IMRIE SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON IN EDINBURGH FOR BABY MURDER AND INJURIES

In May 2001, a father from West Lothian, Stuart Imrie, was sentenced to 11 years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh for the murder of his newborn daughter and the severe injury of her twin sister.

Lord MacLean, the presiding judge, ordered that Imrie serve 11 years with an additional four years of strict supervision afterward to safeguard the public from his "irrational violence."

The court heard that the injuries inflicted by Imrie—blows and shaking on his daughters when they were less than a month old—were more typical of those sustained in serious road accidents. Despite medical efforts, Stephanie, the newborn, died in hospital. Initially thought to have succumbed to cot death, her post-mortem revealed injuries indicating abuse.

Imrie was charged with murdering Stephanie at the home he shared with his girlfriend Ann Andrews, 18, and her parents in Logan Way, Knightsridge, Livingston, in October 2000. His plea to a reduced charge of culpable homicide led to the halting of an earlier trial. He also admitted to severely injuring his twin sister Hannah, who now suffers catastrophic brain damage, with the extent of her future disabilities uncertain.

During sentencing, Lord MacLean remarked, "One of the difficulties I have in sentencing you arises from the fact that, really, these crimes are unexplained." He emphasized that this was not an instance of a young, immature father losing his temper over crying children, but a tragic case involving serious violence.

The judge pointed out the tragic contrast in a world where many yearn to have children but are unable.

Ahead of his plea change, Ann Andrews recounted how she desperately tried to resuscitate her baby, giving her the "kiss of life" as Stephanie’s condition worsened. The twins, born prematurely, had been out of hospital for less than two weeks when the tragedy struck.

Ms. Andrews, formerly a tele-sales worker and care assistant, explained that Imrie, who was unemployed, moved in with her around Christmas 1999, and they had been together for about four months. In February 2000, at age 17, she became pregnant, later discovering she was expecting twins.

She recalled feeling both shocked and happy about the pregnancy. The twins were born prematurely on September 18, weighing 4lb 12oz and 3lb 11oz respectively, but initially showed no health issues and left hospital around October 4. Stephanie died in the early hours of October 15.

Imrie was also accused of assaulting Hannah between October 4 and October 18, during which her injuries were identified. Doctors noted some difficulties in her movements, and it is feared she may face learning difficulties due to her brain damage.

Pathologist Anthony Busuttil testified that Stephanie had suffered bleeding into her brain caused by a blow to the head, and her liver had been "pulped" by Imrie’s grip.

In court on the day of sentencing, defense lawyer Edgar Prais QC expressed that Imrie was "riven with remorse" and struggling to come to terms with his actions. Prais highlighted Imrie’s troubled childhood, including being taken into care after his father was jailed for raping a young girl, and experiences of abuse and bullying. The lawyer suggested these factors may be linked to the tragic events involving his infants.