A Dundee woman who burned a child’s leg with a hot iron has been handed an unpaid work order as a direct alternative to a prison sentence.
Coral Chalmers was found guilty after a trial at Dundee Sheriff Court last month.
Chalmers, 22, was convicted of causing the boy to suffer injury at an address in Dundee by burning his leg with an iron between November 28 and 30 2019.
She had faced a charge that “severe” injury was caused but was convicted of the lesser charge.
Chalmers, of the city’s Ballindean Road, claimed to the court the child had been burned on a cooker as she held him while reaching for a cupboard.
On Monday, she was spared a prison term by Sheriff Alastair Carmichael following the preparation of social work reports.
He said: “The jury found you guilty of this offence, it’s a serious matter.
“I understand your position but nevertheless you were convicted. I have to consider a custodial sentence and think about if there’s any other options I can follow.
“In this case, I think that there are other options.”
Chalmers claimed the burn was so inconsequential the youngster made no noise when it happened and she did not notice the triangular-shaped mark until the next day.
During her evidence, Chalmers said she felt “horrible” about his injury but denied using the iron at any point or deliberately injuring the child.
Medical experts concluded that the wound was “non-accidental”.
Paediatric expert Dr Jenny Fraser concluded the shape of the injury would have most likely have been caused by the iron that was found at the scene.
Solicitor Douglas Thomson said Chalmers, who receives psychiatric treatment, had been subject to “hostility” from members of the public following her conviction.
“It is her intention to move to an address outwith the district,” he said.
“It’s been a difficult few weeks following the conviction. She is somebody who needs a degree of support and direction in moving forward.
“She is not someone who comes across as malicious or wicked.
“However the child came by the injuries, what can be said is that it was momentary contact with a hot object.
“She is not somebody that society needs protected from and the court should not be considering the imposition of a custodial sentence.”
As a direct alternative to custody, Chalmers was ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid work as part of a community payback order.
