Man charged over baby incident

Police were called to the house on Wednesday evening

Police in St Andrews have charged a man in connection with an incident in which an 18-month-old baby girl was injured by an air gun.

The girl was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after the incident at her home in St Andrews, Fife, on Wednesday evening.

She is on a life support machine at the hospital, where her condition has been described as critical but stable.

A spokesman for Fife Constabulary said a local man had been charged in connection with the incident.

A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal and police expect the man to appear in court on Friday.

Frances Stewart: "My thoughts are with her"

Neighbour Frances Stewart, said: "I didn't hear anything at all last night, but later on the police came to the door and said there had been an incident.

"There were a lot of policeman going in and out of the house and I just hope that the wee girl is going to be all right.

"My thoughts are with her and her mum right now."

"I've seen her out and about lately because she has just started to walk. She was round at the shop the other day and was laughing and enjoying herself."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I came home in my car last night just after 9pm and there was a police car and four police officers outside the house.

Neighbours 'shocked'

"A short time later a police officer came round to interview me to see if I had heard anything at about 7.50pm.

"When I looked out of the window early on there were forensic officers coming in and out of the house - I thought somebody had been murdered.

"I just couldn't settle last night, especially because I knew there was a baby living in the house. I didn't know what had happened until I heard it on the radio this morning and I was really shocked."