Woman admits she left shaken baby boy disabled

A WOMAN has admitted shaking a seven-month-old baby so severely she left him disabled.

Nikki Irvine is now facing up to five years behind bars for the incident at a property in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, in 2013.

Irvine admitted her guilt when she appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday.

She had originally been charged with assaulting the youngster at the house in November 2013.

But her lawyer entered a guilty plea to a charge of causing his injuries by culpable and reckless conduct which was accepted by the Crown.

The 29-year-old, of Johnstone, was represented by Advocate Paul Nelson during the short hearing, before Sheriff Colin Pettigrew.

Mr Nelson told the court a civil case involving the child in question had been dealt with at the court earlier by a different sheriff and sentencing should be dealt with by him.

Sheriff Pettigrew added: “I do consider that to be an appropriate way to proceed.

“Had I been hearing the facts today I would have been calling for reports myself.

“I will call for reports today as that expedites matters.”

The full circumstances of the incident will be given next month when Irvine returns to the court to be sentenced

Sheriff Pettigrew released her on bail, telling her she would be contacted by the social work department and would have to attend for an interview.

Although the case carries a maximum jail term of five years at sheriff court level, it could be remitted to the High Court if the sentencing sheriff feels that upper limit to be inadequate.