Murder trial hears of 'road crash' style brain injury

A PATHOLOGIST who examined baby Abbie Jamieson's brain said she had injuries normally found on people who die in road crashes.

Dr Colin Smith, 42, one of Britain's top brain experts, had analysed sections of her brain and said that the same trauma he found there is also found in people who die after falling from a considerable height on to concrete.

Dr Smith was giving evidence at the trial of Craig Jamieson, who denies murdering his daughter Abbie at the family home on 8 February 2008.

Jamieson, 30, of 24 Summerhill Place, Drumchapel, Glasgow, has lodged a special defence of incrimination against Abbie's mother Nichola Haddock, 29.

Dr Smith told prosecutor Lesley Shand QC that he had also seen similar injury in the brains of two cases he had been involved in where infants had been swung by the ankles and hit against a solid surface.

The jury was told that Abbie's brain was swollen and she had suffered a fracture to her skull and a large blood clot.

Judge Stewart warned the jury and members of the public of the distressing nature of photographs of Abbie's post-mortem examination, which were then shown on monitors in the courtroom.

Questioned by defence QC Ronnie Watson, Dr Smith said that he could not pinpoint the exact time that the injury was sustained.

The trial continues.