GP recounts attempts to save baby

The High Court heard Dr Madhok say the child was pale

A GP has told a murder trial at the High Court in Glasgow that he tried to resuscitate a baby while dialling 999.

Dr Virinder Madhok, 57, said he called an ambulance during the emergency involving eight-month-old Alishba Younas, who died in hospital.

The child was taken to the surgery by her father Faisal, 35, from Pollokshields, Glasgow, who denies murdering her in September 2005.

Mr Younas and his wife Bano, 34, also deny neglect. The trial continues.

Dr Madhok said Mr Younas had rushed into his surgery saying his daughter was very ill.

He said: "I realised right away that the baby had to be resuscitated."

The baby died in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in Glasgow, two days later on 18 September, 2005.

'Alarm bells'

Mr Younas denies murdering Alishba by shaking her or otherwise inflicting trauma on her head and neck.

His wife also faces charges.

The couple deny that between 3 August and 30 August, 2005, they wilfully ill-treated Alishba in a manner likely to cause her unnecessary suffering or injury to her health.

Family GP Dr Madhok said that since Alishba's birth on Christmas Day, 2004, he had treated her for colds.

The doctor agreed with Paul McBride QC, who is defending Mr Younas, that any time the baby was ill Alishba's parents took the proper action and brought her to the surgery.

He agreed the "alarm bells were ringing" when he saw the listless, pale baby.

Dr Madhok agreed, however, that while the child was "chalk white" there were no visible signs of injury, no blood and no dishevelled clothes or grabbing type injuries.

Mr McBride said: "We have seen people in our society who regrettably are indifferent and utterly neglectful of a child's welfare.

"Do you agree that neither Mr and Mrs Younas fell into that category?"

Dr Madhok replied: "Yes."

The trial before Lord Hardie continues.