Gran of baby brutally battered launches bid to sue attacker

The gran of a baby who was brutally battered has launched a bid to sue her granddaughter's attacker.

Sick Mark Tannahill left the tot, who can't be named for legal reasons, with broken ribs and a fractured skull after the baby's mum died from cancer eight weeks after giving birth.

Vile Tannahill, from Crosshouse, was found guilty of behaving in an abusive or threatening manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm after repeatedly shouting and swearing at the baby.

The 38-year-old was further found guilty of assault of the baby and it was ruled that he did “compress and shake her” and inflict trauma to her head and body, to her severe injury and to the “danger of her life.”

The grandmother, who also can't be named for legal reasons, previously branded Tannahill a monster and hopes he rots behind bars when he's sentenced at court on Friday.

And now, due to 'life-changing injuries' by the baby, who turns three this year, the grandmother, from Kilmaurs, has launched a civil action against Tannahill to recover damages in an attempt to safeguard the child’s future care needs.

The gran now says she "doesn't know how long she has left" and is now considering her granddaughter's future care needs.

The child’s grandmother said: “Our daughter passing away and the reality of me not knowing how long I have left means we need to give real consideration to my grandchild’s future care needs.

“My grand-daughter has been robbed of her mother and now she has been robbed of her own future.

“A civil action is the only route open to us to ensure her ongoing care needs are met.

“All I can do is stay strong for her and do things that help improve her recovery and enhance her quality of life.”

Digby Brown Solicitors say that Tannahill has now had his assets frozen ahead of the criminal sentencing next week.

Richard Pitts, associate at Digby Brown Solicitors, is helping the family with the legal action.

He added: “What happened to this child was truly horrific – there was simply no excuse for abusing a helpless infant in this way.

“The legal action is in a very early stage so it would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further but we remain committed to assisting the family and ensuring this child has a future that is as positive as possible.”

We previously told how the 34-year-old mum was only 30 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer – after medics found a 20cm tumour.

She was forced to deliver her miracle baby girl prematurely at 34 weeks and despite bravely fighting the aggressive cancer, sadly died eight weeks later in August 2021.

Tannahill will be sentenced later this week.

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