Man Jailed for Attempted Murder of Infant Boy

A man has received a 12-year prison sentence after causing life-altering brain injuries to an infant through violent shaking. Marc Lannen received his sentence at the High Court in Glasgow, following his conviction for the attempted murder of the child in Dundee during 2018. Lannen asserted that the infant’s illness resulted from him having “soothed” the baby excessively while holding him over his shoulder. Nevertheless, a panel of five medical professionals determined that the injuries were not accidental, attributing them to “abusive head trauma.” The offense took place at a property in Dundee when the 34-year-old individual was reportedly looking after the infant. Judge Lord Young addressed Lannen, stating: “The baby’s life was saved by the skills of the neurological team at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, but he has been left with the consequences of that injury.” The judge further remarked: “There is nothing in your background as to why you committed this offence.” Lord Young indicated that the “true extent” of the child’s long-term impact would not be fully understood for many years, but that the child would likely experience some degree of permanent impairment. During the trial in Dundee, jurors were informed that medical experts concluded the boy had been subjected to violent shaking over an extended duration. A medical professional testified that the brain injury was among the most severe he had encountered throughout his nearly three-decade career. Testimony revealed that without crucial medical intervention, the child might have succumbed to his injuries within hours. Currently, the child requires extra assistance at school and undergoes routine evaluations by a consultant paediatrician.