Courts / Cavan / Report

Handwriting expert could not say when entry in childminding diary was altered

Summary

A garda handwriting expert has given evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the trial of a childminder accused of assaulting a baby. Sandra Higgins, aged 34, of The Beeches, Drumgola Wood, Cavan town, County Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old child in her care on 28 March 2012. Detective Garda John Leonard examined a notebook used as a diary and handover book between Ms Higgins and the child's mother. He identified that a time entry of 12.50pm on the date in question had been altered, denoting the end of the child's morning sleep. However, Mr Leonard acknowledged under cross-examination that he could not determine when the original entry had been amended. The trial before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Handwriting expert could not say when entry in childminding diary was altered. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the baby on March 28, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 28, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-06-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report