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A woman has been sentenced to a minimum of six years in prison for attempting to murder a toddler by administering adult medications to the child. Laura Docherty, age 35 and formerly residing in Glenrothes, repeatedly gave the young girl antidepressants and painkillers that were not prescribed for her. These actions led to the child requiring resuscitation and mechanical ventilation to survive. At the High Court in Edinburgh, the judge imposed a lifelong restriction order on Docherty, stating she must serve at least six years before being eligible to apply for parole.
Docherty had denied the charge of attempted murder during her trial in December but was found guilty unanimously by the jury. The offence occurred over an extended period, from April 2021 to February 2023, at various locations including an Edinburgh residence and a ward at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. By deliberately giving inappropriate drugs to the small child, Docherty caused seizures and episodes of reduced consciousness. The young victim underwent multiple medical interventions and tests due to the severity of the poisoning.
In sentencing, Judge Michael O’Grady KC described the crime as committed for “attention and drama” and was unequivocal about the severity of Docherty’s actions. He remarked, “The word ‘wicked’ is an old fashioned word, but there are times when no other word will suffice.” The judge highlighted Docherty’s lack of remorse, refusal to accept responsibility, and tendency to blame others. He also revealed that on one occasion she came very close to causing the child’s death, with a paramedic employing all his expertise to revive her while Docherty filmed the event.
A psychological report presented to the court concluded that Docherty suffers from an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Her defense lawyer, Simon Gilbride, suggested that she could serve a fixed prison sentence followed by community supervision. He acknowledged the “extraordinary behaviour” involved in the case and stressed that Docherty would need to confront her actions to have any hope of a meaningful future. However, the judge warned that her eventual release will depend on the decision of the Scottish parole board and predicted a lengthy period in custody
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