Ex-NHS nurse with mental illness jailed after poisoning young boy

A former NHS worker suffering from a mental disorder who poisoned a young child was jailed today for seven years.

Tracy Menhinick, 52, gave a boy "industrial amounts" of the laxative lactulose, which resulted in his growth being stunted and led to his hospitalisation in Aberdeen.

One expert witness said the child resembled a survivor from a concentration camp as a result.

It is understood the boy has since recovered, but has been left with permanent disfigurements.

The 19-day trial heard 5,500 pages of evidence and medical records relating to the youngster and his failure to gain weight.

The child was aged between three and six years old at the time.

At one stage the boy was admitted to hospital weighing just under 10kg at the age of five.

It was revealed at today's sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow that a doctor's report deemed that Menhinick did suffer from a factitious disorder imposed on another.

The disorder was previously named Munchausen's syndrome and Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, which is a specific mental illness most often linked to child abuse by a caregiver.

'Why anyone would want to inflect harm on a young child over multiple years is beyond understanding. '

Judge Lady Drummond said: "You were an auxiliary nurse and had the knowledge to know what you were doing. You caused him to be in that state.

"When he was admitted to hospital, you continued to give him a high level of laxatives.

"Doctors were baffled despite their efforts to care for the child with various tests and treatments that he wasn't gaining weight and thriving.

"The amount of laxatives he was given resulted in floppy episodes and he had to be resuscitated.

"Why anyone would want to inflect harm on a young child over multiple years is beyond understanding.

"The victim impact statement says he has been left with physical scarring from this ordeal - your actions have had a negative impact on him psychologically. It has had a devastating impact on his life.

"You abused the position of trust put on you by the child and the hospital.

"There is complete disregard for the consequences of your actions. You are 52 and deny responsibility for your actions.

"A doctor's opinion is that you suffer from a mental disorder.

"You do not accept that you have this disorder and that your motivations are unclear for your actions.

"The doctor said you do not require hospital treatment for the mental disorder.

"The only appropriate disposal for such ill treatment of a child over a lengthy period of time with serious consequences is a significant period in custody to mark society's abhorrence of your conduct."

Wheelchair bound first offender Menhinick was visibly upset following the judge's sentencing upon her.

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