A MAN who failed to get medical help for a child suffering from a serious head injury for more than a week was today sentenced to 160 hours of unpaid work and placed on probation for two years.
Robin Hay, 33, admitted a charge of wilful neglect when he previously appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The court heard he failed to seek timely and appropriate medical attention for the child, who was just 10 weeks old at the time, despite the
baby showing an obvious head and wrist injury.
Hay carried out the offence in Edinburgh between 21 July 21 and 29 July last year.
At an earlier hearing fiscal depute Ruth Ross-Davie told the court some time around 21 July the baby had suffered injuries to its head but it was not known how this came about.
The fiscal said when Hay was questioned by police he said he had fallen on stairs while holding the baby, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and it may have bumped its head then.
A health visitor during a routine check became concerned after seeing the child's swollen head and prominent veins and referred the baby to a GP.
Ms Ross-Davie said: "The GP advised Hay to take the baby immediately to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children."
But the court heard Hay did not go straight to the hospital and instead went to his home first.
An ultrasound later revealed haemorrhaging and a track had to be inserted to drain blood.
The court heard the child has not displayed abnormal development since the incident.
Defence agent Angus McLennan said Hay, a first offender, was in employment and had felt "distressed" by his behaviour.
Mr McLennan said in hindsight Hay, of West Fairbrae Crescent, Edinburgh, wished he had behaved differently.
Sheriff Neil MacKinnon also referred the case to Scottish Ministers for consideration under the protection of children legislation.
