A woman has been jailed for life for killing her 19-day-old daughter following what a judge described as a “violent and brutal” attack in Scotland.Nicole Blaine was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday over the death of baby Thea Wilson in Greenock, Inverclyde, in July 2023, The Independent reported.During sentencing, Lord Scott rejected Blaine’s claims that another child inside the home was responsible for the infant’s injuries, describing the explanation as “ridiculous”.Blaine was convicted of murder last month after a trial in the same court, where prosecutors said the child suffered repeated shaking and blunt force trauma.Medical evidence presented during the trial showed that Thea suffered three skull fractures, serious brain injuries and bleeding in both eyes.
Doctors told the court the injuries were consistent with severe shaking and shock.Jurors also heard evidence from a social worker who visited the family home hours before the incident and found the child resting in her bed. The witness later returned after emergency services were called and described Blaine as sad and agitated.Blaine denied responsibility during the trial and claimed that she discovered the infant’s injury after waking up and answering a knock on the door.
Prosecutors said the severity of the injuries ruled out any accidental cause.Emergency services were called to a property in Greenock on July 14, after reports the child had become unwell. Thea was taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where she later died.After the sentencing, Chief Inspector Laura Young described the case as “tragic” and said Blaine would now face consequences for her actions.
