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Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Man convicted of Brandon killing

Man convicted of Brandon killing



A man has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend's 23-month-old son.

Robert Cunningham, 23, had denied murdering Brandon Muir, who died in Dundee in March 2008 after suffering more than 40 injuries.

He was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide by a majority verdict at the High Court in Glasgow. He will be sentenced later this month.

It has been announced that a review of child protection services in Dundee will be carried out following the case.

Brandon's mother Heather Boyd, 23, was cleared last week of charges including her son's culpable homicide.

Brandon died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on 16 March 2008 after suffering what the jury was told would have been a painful death.


This is another tragic case. It is disappointing to read "It has been announced that a review of child protection services in Dundee will be carried out following the case". Inquiry after inquiry after inquiry! It is also disappointing to read "Brandon's mother Heather Boyd, 23, was cleared last week of charges including her son's culpable homicide". The child suffered injuries over a 3 week period. The mother is a heroin addict. Nevertheless, the mother is not blind. She must have known at least some of the injuries were down to her boyfriend. She sacrificed her young son for whatever reasons. In my view, she is culpable in his death at least to the extent of not reporting her boyfriend to the authorities.

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