Mother guilty of killing her handicapped infant

The mother of a severely handicapped baby girl was yesterday found guilty of killing her daughter by removing a vital breathing tube as she lay in a hospital cot. Julie Watts, 31, a psychiatric nurse, was cleared of murdering 14-month-old Abigail by a jury at Manchester Crown Court but was convicted of manslaughter.

The court was told that Abigail needed round-the-clock care after being born with a rare combination of disabilities that left her unable to breathe or feed without the aid of tubes. She was deaf and blind and suffered brain damage, connected to a rare skull deformity.

Mr Justice Sachs remanded Watts on bail for nine days for reports before sentencing. He told her counsel, Richard Henriques QC: "I have no intention of sending your client into custody, at least not immediately." He said he would require reports on the convicted woman.