Salt case girl 'could not taste'

The case is being heard at the High Court in Edinburgh

A child who was allegedly given a dose of salt which nearly killed her could not sense taste because of how she was fed, a court has heard.

The High Court in Edinburgh was told she had to be fed via a tube in her stomach.

The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suffered from a range of illnesses as well as some developmental problems.

The jury heard that the girl suffered from a weakness in her throat muscles and had difficulty swallowing properly.

She was fed using a tube which passed through her nostril and down the back of her throat, before eventually, in May 1995, being given a gastrostomy, where a feeding tube was put directly into her stomach.

Tube feeding

Questioned by advocate depute Johanna Johnston about the tube feeding, Dr John Lang was asked: "That means the taste is taken out of the experience of eating?"

The Edinburgh GP, giving evidence for the second day in the trial of Susan Hamilton, 38, of Broomhouse Street South in the city, replied "yes".

Ms Hamilton denies both a charge of attempting to murder the girl, and an alternative charge of reckless conduct.

The Crown alleges that Ms Hamilton gave the child solutions containing large amounts of salt, knowing it would harm the health of the girl - who is said to have suffered repeated illness and injury, requiring medical attention as a result.

In particular, it is alleged that on 9 or 10 March 2000, Ms Hamilton gave the girl a solution so salty that it made her seriously ill, endangered her life, and left her permanently impaired.

The trial continues.