Woman denies grandson's murder

Kyle Mutch died in January

A woman has denied that she was responsible for death of her eight-month-old grandson, who was allegedly murdered by his stepfather.

Mohammad Ullah, 25, denies murdering his wife Karen Mutch's son Kyle in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, in January.

He has lodged two special defences, one of which blames Mrs Mutch's mother, Marlane Low, for the child's death.

However, the 60-year-old told the High Court in Forfar that she had not touched her grandson.

Mrs Low broke down a number of times while giving evidence.

No injuries

The court heard that she had agreed to look after Kyle on 30 January.

At about 2230 GMT, Mr Ullah arrived to take the youngster home with him.

The following morning the police came to tell her that her grandson was dead.

Mrs Low said Kyle had been "cheery and laughing" while she was looking after him and that he had no marks or injuries on his body.

THE CHARGES Mohammad Ullah denies striking Kyle Mutch on the body and murdering him on 30 or 31 January He denies assaulting a four-year-old boy on 29 January He denies attempting to pervert the course of justice He has lodged two special defences The first is that if there was a murder, it was committed by Marlane Low The second is one of alibi, claiming he was at the Cafe Shomi in Turriff between 1630 BST and 2230 BST on 30 January

Advocate depute Mark Stewart told Mrs Low it might be put to her that she had assaulted the youngster and was responsible for his death.

"I did not touch Kyle. I know I am getting the blame for murder," she said.

She added that her daughter Karen had come to her house and shouted through the letterbox that she was the murderer after the death.

Under cross-examination, Mrs Low denied that her daughter suffered from a speech impediment because she was violent towards her while she was growing up.

Neighbour Margaret Barron had earlier told the court how she was woken in the early hours of 31 January by Mr Ullah banging on her door.

"He grabbed my hand and said 'Come and help, my baby, baby, very sick and very cold'," she said.

Assault denied

Mrs Barron said she administered first aid on Kyle until Dr Robert Liddell, a Turriff GP, arrived at her home and pronounced the baby dead.

Mr Ullah, 25, has denied assaulting and murdering Kyle Mutch in Turriff.

He has also denied assaulting a four-year-old boy and trying to pervert the course of justice by phoning his wife while he was on bail.

He is alleged to have offered her £5,000 to testify falsely that she had seen another woman assaulting Kyle.

Mr Ullah, described as a prisoner in Aberdeen, has lodged two special defences, one of incrimination, the other of alibi.