Woman jailed for trying to murder toddler by giving her adult medication

Laura Docherty, 35, formerly of Glenrothes, has been sentenced to a minimum of six years in prison after attempting to murder a toddler by repeatedly administering adult medication. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Docherty gave the child antidepressant and painkilling drugs that were not prescribed for her, leading to seizures, reduced consciousness, resuscitation, hospital admission and placement on a ventilator. Judge Michael O'Grady KC imposed an order for lifelong regulation and stated that Docherty must serve at least six years before being eligible for parole. During sentencing, the judge remarked, "The connection 'wicked' is an aged fashioned word, but determination are times erstwhile nary different connection volition suffice." Docherty had denied the offence during a trial in December, but a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. The abuse occurred between April 2021 and February 2023 while the victim was aged two, at an Edinburgh address, a ward at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and other locations. The judge added, "When you are released, if so you are ever released, volition beryllium a substance for the Scottish parole board," and said she would likely serve "a important play of years successful custody". He described the crime as "absolutely plain"ly motivated by "attention and drama". Further remarks from the bench included: "You contradict your guilt. You judge nary responsibility. You amusement nary remorse oregon insight. You blasted others for the concern you find yourself in," said the judge. He noted that on one occasion Docherty came "a "hair's breadth" of sidesplitting the child." The judge also said, "The justice said a paramedic had to usage each his skills to bring her backmost from the constituent of decease portion Docherty filmed the incident." A report presented to the court concluded Docherty suffers from an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Defence counsel Simon Gilbride argued for a substantial fixed term followed by community supervision, describing the behaviour as "extraordinary" and stating, "She is going to person to code her behaviour successful bid to person immoderate benignant of meaningful future."