A 13-year-old schoolgirl’s life was placed in danger during an unprovoked and sustained attack by a woman who told her she would kill her. Laurie Taylor, 31, told the terrified girl “she deserved to die” as she held a pillow over her face, kicked and throttled her, and knocked her down a flight of stairs. The teenager struggled to stand back up as she sustained a suspected broken ankle in the fall, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
Taylor, from Arbroath, admitted endangering the life of the child in Angus, on August 22, last year by attacking and injuring her. Fiscal depute Emma Farmer told the court the girl was supposed to have been staying with the woman but raised concerns about her behaviour with a teacher. It emerged that Taylor was heavily under the influence of alcohol and social workers arrived at the house to check on the situation but were sent away.
“The child found Taylor asleep next to several empty wine bottles and cans. The girl tried to wake her by shaking her shoulders. The accused was unsteady on her feet. The accused went upstairs and sat on top of the girl. She screamed ‘I’m going to kill you’ and picked up a pillow and placed it on her face. She was unable to breathe. She shouted that she ‘deserved to die’ and that she ‘would get away with it as there was no-one else in the house.’ This ceased after a minute or two.
“She kicked the victim on the leg three times and prevented her from leaving the room. She kicked her stomach – winding her and causing her to fall to the floor. The girl left the room and began making her way down stairs. At the top of the stairs she became aware of the accused behind her. She felt a knock and fell down the stairs. She was struggling to put weight on her ankle, but used the radiator to help her get up.”
Taylor repeated to the girl that “she deserved to die” and put her hands round her throat. “She felt the grip on her neck tightening and was in a state of shock as her neck was being compressed.” The attack was interrupted by the arrival of a third party. The child was taken to hospital amid fears she had broken her ankle, although it was confirmed that she had suffered soft tissue damage. Taylor was taken to police HQ and when she was arrested she said: “Nope. I’ve not done anything wrong. I didn’t do it.” Sheriff Alistair Carmichael deferred sentence for reports and Taylor had bail continued.
The harrowing incident showcases the vulnerability of children and the responsibility adults have in ensuring their safety and well-being at all times. It is a stark reminder of the alarming consequences of violence and abuse towards minors and the importance of swift intervention in such cases to prevent further harm.
The gruesome details of the attack highlight the trauma experienced by the young girl and the lasting impact such violence can have on a child’s physical and emotional well-being. It underscores the need for communities and authorities to be vigilant and proactive in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from potential harm.
In conclusion, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children, where they are shielded from harm and can grow and thrive without fear. It is imperative for society to stand up against any form of violence or abuse towards children and take decisive action to ensure their protection and well-being.