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Brandon death 'not predictable' | Brandon death 'not predictable' |
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The violent attack which caused the death of Dundee toddler Brandon Muir could not have been predicted, an independent review has concluded. | The violent attack which caused the death of Dundee toddler Brandon Muir could not have been predicted, an independent review has concluded. |
However, the report into the killing of the boy by Robert Cunningham, his mother's boyfriend, ruled there were weaknesses in inter-agency workings. | |
The report said social workers had been involved in the boy's life. | |
But it ruled there had not been enough time for the authorities to prevent the attack on the 23-month-old. | |
Cunningham, who was jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of culpable homicide, is appealing against his conviction. | |
Brandon's mother, Heather Boyd, was charged with culpable homicide by failing to get her son medical help, but was cleared in court. | |
Social work consultant Jimmy Hawthorn: "There was no indication of any violence towards children" | |
Former Fife Chief Constable Peter Wilson and social work consultant Jimmy Hawthorn, who were called in to review the case, stated in a joint report: "Brandon's death, which was caused by Cunningham, could not have been predicted by the Dundee authorities." | |
The report said Brandon, his mother and Cunningham began living together on the city's Balunie Crescent on 26 February last year, less than a month before the boy's death. | |
The youngster's grandparents immediately raised concerns with social workers about Ms Boyd's parenting skills and her relationship with Cunningham, who they had seen having violent arguments with his previous partner. | |
Child protection staff, who had a previous involvement with the family, began to gather information and scheduled the case conference for 18 March. | Child protection staff, who had a previous involvement with the family, began to gather information and scheduled the case conference for 18 March. |
But three days beforehand, Brandon became unwell after being left in the care of Cunningham. | |
His mother noticed he looked pale and tired, but, as her son lay dying, Ms Boyd went out to work as a prostitute so she could buy heroin. | |
READ THE REPORT Significant case review: Brandon Muir [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
She and Cunningham then smoked the drugs. | She and Cunningham then smoked the drugs. |
Ms Boyd later noticed Brandon stopped breathing and called emergency services, before the boy was pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee, on 16 March. | |
It later emerged in court he had been hit so hard his intestines burst, as well as having suffered about 40 other injuries, including evidence of cracked ribs. | |
The report said that, although Ms Boyd was known to the police, nothing was known about her involvement in prostitution, and there was no recorded history of drugs misuse. | |
Experienced staff also found no evidence of a chaotic household or lifestyle that suggested she had a dependence on substances, the report stated. | |
Robert Cunningham is serving a 10-year sentence for killing Brandon | |
Mr Hawthorn said: "From my examination of all the relevant records in this tragic case, and through interviews of almost 50 members of staff, I have concluded that, while the assault which we now know took place on Brandon and which proved to be fatal could not have been anticipated, there were weaknesses in both interagency working and in practice at that time." | Mr Hawthorn said: "From my examination of all the relevant records in this tragic case, and through interviews of almost 50 members of staff, I have concluded that, while the assault which we now know took place on Brandon and which proved to be fatal could not have been anticipated, there were weaknesses in both interagency working and in practice at that time." |
The sharing of information on drug addict Cunningham was "hindered by time and resource pressures on health visitors, social workers and police", he added. | |
But he said the commitment of staff was "evident throughout". | |
Mr Hawthorn also called for "a higher profile given to the impact on children of domestic abuse and substance misuse". | |
Mr Wilson said the recommendations on the significant case review would lead to a "necessary tightening up of procedures", which he would monitor. | Mr Wilson said the recommendations on the significant case review would lead to a "necessary tightening up of procedures", which he would monitor. |