Man who violently shook baby girl jailed for attempted murder

A man who tried to murder a baby girl by violently shaking her has been jailed for 11 years.

Joshua Coates' attack on the four-month-old child caused her to suffer a widespread brain injury.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, Judge Lord Young told him: "You also inflicted bruising and abrasions to her face and body.

"After she was admitted to hospital, further X-rays revealed fractures of both wrists which, based on the stage of healing, must have been inflicted by you a few days before the shaking incident."

The court heard how the child currently suffers from cerebral palsy in all four limbs and impaired vision.

Lord Young said the youngster's gross and fine motor skills had also been affected.

And though she is "making progress", the judge said, "it seems inevitable that she will be left with some permanent impairments requiring assistance throughout her life".

The attempted murder occurred in Arbroath, Angus, on 4 August 2023.

A probe was launched after the girl was admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with significant head injuries.

Coates, 25, denied any wrongdoing but was convicted at the High Court in Dundee in March.

Lord Young said the attacker's evidence was "inconsistent" during the trial.

While completing his criminal justice social work report, Coates also provided a new version of events in which he suggested "another person caused these injuries".

However, his defence lawyer said he had ultimately accepted responsibility for inflicting the injuries.

The judge noted the defendant's ADHD and anger management issues, and acknowledged that measures had been agreed that he should not be left alone with the child.

Lord Young added: "But tragically, another person put their own interests before that of the baby and left the baby in your sole care overnight.

"While you should never have been left alone with the baby that night, that is absolutely no excuse for what you did."

Read more from Sky News:
Baby murder accused told police 'I will fight you until the day I die'
Man shot outside family's restaurant 'refused to pay gang £100k'

Detective Constable Jamie Thomson said the 11-year sentence reflected the "seriousness of the violence inflicted on a completely defenceless child".

He said: "The injuries sustained by the baby have been life-changing and could easily have had fatal consequences.

"Our thoughts remain with child and her family as they continue their recovery from this traumatic ordeal."

The detective urged those with concerns about the safety or welfare of a child to contact Police Scotland on 101.

He added: "Cases involving harm to children are among the most difficult we deal with.

"However, Police Scotland is committed to thoroughly investigating such incidents and ensuring those responsible are held accountable."

(c) Sky News 2026: Man who violently shook baby girl jailed for attempted murder