Man jailed for attempted murder of baby boy

A man who shook a baby so hard he was left with life-changing brain injuries has been jailed for 12 years.

Marc Lannen was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after being convicted of attempting to murder the child in Dundee in 2018.

Lannen claimed the baby had became unwell as he had "soothed" him too much while holding him over his shoulder.

However, five doctors concluded the injuries were non-accidental and were as a result of "abusive head trauma".

The crime occurred while the 34 year-old was supposedly caring for the baby at a property in Dundee.

Judge Lord Young told Lannen: "The baby's life was saved by the skills of the neurological team at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, but he has been left with the consequences of that injury.

"There is nothing in your background as to why you committed this offence."

The judge said it would be many years before the "true extent" of the impact on the child would be known, but he is likely to be left with some form of permanent impairment.

Jurors at the trial in Dundee heard how medics believed the boy had been violently shaken for a sustained period of time.

One said the brain injury was as bad as any he had seen during his near 30-year career as a doctor.

It was stated that had the child not received vital treatment he could have possibly died within hours.

The child now needs additional support at school and has to be regularly assessed by a consultant paediatrician.