Man Jailed for 12 Years for Killing Baby Daughter
A financial adviser who killed his baby daughter and then tried to murder a baby boy two years later has been jailed for 12 years.
At the High Court in Glasgow Ian Ruddock, who continues to deny his guilt, was told by judge Lord Bannatyne that the killing of his five-week-old daughter Olivia was "a gross breach of trust."
Lord Bannatyne told 34-year-old Ruddock that it is a parent's duty to care for a child and added: "The offences which you have been convicted of are of very significant gravity.
"You committed both these offences when both children were babies. It is difficult to think of more a vulnerable victim than a baby."
The judge then told Ruddock: "You had all the advantages of a good happy upbringing. You were someone who was materially comfortable. You are not someone who had an unhappy upbringing nor were you someone who had significant problems."
As the sentence was imposed members of Ruddock's family sat weeping in the public benches. He showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence.
Defence QC Donald Findlay said: "Mr Ruddock respects the verdict of the jury, but he does not accept it. The man's position is that he did not do these things."
Mr Findlay added: "Two little boys who apparently dote on their dad are going to lose their dad for a very long time."
Ruddock went on trial accused of murdering five-week-old Olivia at his home in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, in 2011.
He was cleared of murder, but a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh found him guilty of a reduced charge of killing Olivia.
Ruddock was also found guilty of the attempted murder of a baby boy in Glasgow in 2013.
Ruddock, from Shawlands, Glasgow, had denied the charges against him during his seven-week trial but was convicted by a majority verdict.
The court heard that on various occasions between January and March 2011, Ruddock repeatedly shook his daughter, causing her to suffer extensive rib and head injuries.
Foul play was not suspected when she died at Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital on 6 March 2011 and Ruddock went on to carry out attacks another child at an address in Glasgow in 2013.
The baby boy suffered a fractured skull and fractured ribs during attacks by Ruddock.
He was finally caught after police, tipped off by medics, launched an investigation shortly after the second infant's injuries were discovered.
During the trial, the court heard that Ruddock had got up from bed in the early hours of March 6, 2011 to feed Olivia who had become unwell.
Thetiny baby was rushed to Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary and later transferred to Yorkhill Hospital where she died.
Ruddock told the court that he shouted for his wife Wendy, 37, when he discovered his daughter was unwell.
He said: "I thought she was dead."
Ruddock told the court that he held Olivia and shook her as he tried to wake her before feeling "sheer terror... sheer panic".
Asked whether he believed he had harmed his daughter, Ruddock replied: "I don't believe for a minute that I've caused her death. It's not even remotely possible."
Ruddock's claim of innocence was supported by his sister, Susan Drennan, 35, and his wife, who both gave evidence.
Mrs Ruddock told the court that her husband was at his "happiest" when surrounded by children, adding: "I don't believe he would hurt children - never, no way."
The court heard, however, that Ruddock was investigated after medics became suspicious when the male child suffered a fractured skull and fractured ribs in 2013
Police looked back through Ruddock's past and discovered medical evidence about what happened to Olivia.
Consultant radiologist, Greg Irwin, 48, worked at Yorkhill Hospital when Olivia was treated.
He told the court that there was "incontrovertible" evidence that Olivia had sustained three fractured ribs before her death.
He also said she had another eight "probable" fractured ribs.
The court heard how when Olivia died, he and a colleague who studied scans of the little girl's rib cage did not identify these injuries.
Doctors at that time concluded that Olivia died from bronchial pneumonia.
The court was told that Dr Irwin's view changed when he subsequently reviewed the images.
Dr Irwin told the court that his initial view was wrong. He concluded that she had fractured ribs and that this was indicative of foul play.
Ruddock's defence team led by Mr Findlay highlighted the fact that some medics still did not share Dr Irwin's views about Olivia's injuries.
The evidence, however, was enough to persuade a majority of jurors of his guilt.