A TWO-MONTH OLD Dundee baby girl had her skull fractured when she wouldn’t stop crying, the High Court at Forfar heard yesterday.

Alexander Cameron Sorley Stuart Law (24), Loons Road, admitted hitting the baby so hard on the side of the head that she still suffers from seizures and is likely to be permanently damaged.

Doctors who examined the baby said “significant force” must have been used. They described the injuries as “severe and life-threatening.”

Law yesterday admitted an amended charge of assaulting the girl on June 3 last year, striking her on the head with his hand to her severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of her life.

The original charge had been one of attempted murder.

Advocate Depute Alan Mackay said Law told police officers he had difficulties when the baby refused to stop crying.

He struck her once with the heel of his hand on the left side of her head. She “gave a little gurgle” became dozy and then fell asleep.

Later that day, when being looked after by her mother, the baby let out a high pitched scream and refused to take any food. Her mother noticed a mark on the side of her head and took her to her GP.

Medical examination revealed that she had suffered a fractured skull, haemorrhaging and swelling. She suffered a number of seizures and was placed in intensive care at Ninewells Hospital. Her condition gradually improved and she was discharged on June 30.

Mr Mackay said her sight, hearing and speech all appear to be normal but the development of communication skills seem to be delayed. When assessed at 11 months, she had the play skills of a nine-month-old baby.

Mr David Burns QC, appearing for Law, said his client had always accepted full responsibility for the incident.

He said that while it was very likely the baby would be impaired, it was impossible to assess what the long term consequences would be.

Lord Menzies ordered social inquiry and risk assessment reports and a report from a paediatric neurologist presently treating the baby.

Sentence was deferred to a sitting of the High Court in Edinburgh on June 3.