An Edinburgh man pled not guilty to assaulting a two month old child to his severe injury and to the danger of his life. However, he pled guilty to repeatedly and recklessly throwing the child in the air, causing him to suffer multiple rib and leg injuries, which was accepted by the Crown.
Prosecutors also accepted a plea of not guilty to a charge of repeatedly inflicting a blunt force trauma to a four-week old child. Mr Simpson, who has a learning disability, was arrested after the baby fell ill and was taken to hospital. Doctors concluded that the injuries could only have been caused by someone throwing him in the air. The Court heard that Simpson had no previous convictions.
Simpson’s Defence advocate QC said: “”As a consequence of the Crown accepting a plea of guilty to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct, the Crown accepts that there was no criminal intent to assault the child.” Lord Woolman granted Simpson bail ahead of sentencing in February for reports to be prepared on the offender.