An evil Scots child abuser has been jailed for four years after leaving a helpless baby battered and bruised.
Sick brute Mark Tannahill was found guilty of two charges at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in March.
The 38-year-old from Ayrshire was today jailed for four years for the horrific crimes.
The violent thug carried out a three month reign of terror on the baby which left the tiny tot with broken ribs and a fractured skull.
The poor tot, who cannot be named to protect her identity, was horrifically let down after her mum tragically died from cancer in August 2021, just eight weeks after giving birth.
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.
Sentencing Tannahill on Friday, Sheriff Bissett said: "Mark Tannahill, I have listened carefully to everything said on your behalf this morning. In truth however there is next to nothing which can be said in your favour, given the nature of the offence for which the jury convicted you and the attitude of complete denial that you have maintained from the outset of this case.
"Not only have you refused to take any responsibility for your actions in severely injuring XXX, even worse from the beginning you have sought to cast suspicion upon other members of her family. This began days before XXX was first taken to hospital to be examined, when you sent a message to her grandmother asking how XXX had come by a bruise to her neck, claiming to have just noticed it – when it is clear that you had inflicted that injury.
"A few days later, you pointed out a lump on XXX’s head to your friend Ashley Campbell, pretending that you hadn’t seen it before. By this deception, you were able to convince her that the injury could have been caused while XXX was in the care of her grandmother.
"Later, when the police became involved you continued this deceit. During the course of a police interview in which you can denied having ever assaulted your daughter and in which you offered unbelievable explanations for how she had received her injuries, you went further and suggested that XXX’s grandmother, aunt or cousin might be responsible.
"You maintained this position at your trial, incriminating these women. No doubt adding considerably to the distress and anxiety they must have felt in coming to court to give evidence. Ultimately, the jury saw through this deception and convicted you of this offence. That didn’t stop you repeating the same lie to the social worker who prepared the criminal justice social work for today’s court."
And the sheriff continued: "This is an appalling offence. The jury convicted you of subjecting a tiny, helpless infant to a series of assaults over a six week period which resulted in her severe injury and the endangerment of her life. This court heard evidence that XXX had sustained multiple fractures to her skull and ribs, injury to her brain and bruising to different parts of her body.
"The horror of this offence is heightened by the fact that due to her mother’s terminal illness and unfortunate death, a vulnerable child only a few weeks old was wholly dependent upon you to protect her and care for her. At no time did you seek medical attention for her.
"Thankfully, XXX‘s grandmother intervened when she did and took her to hospital where a medical examination was able to bring your actions to light.
"Only you can know why you did what you did to your baby daughter.
"You have repeatedly demonstrated during the course of these proceedings, most recently in your comments to the social worker reporter, that your only concern is fo yourself. This callous self-interest has only heightened the distress and anxiety experienced by those who love XXX.
"As I indicated to you on the last occasion Mr Tannahill, in my view there is no alternative to the imposition of a substantial custodial sentence for this offence.
"In sentencing you, I take into account the content of the criminal justice social work report and the plea in mitigation offered by your solicitor. You appear before me as a first offender at the age of 38 and you have hitherto lived a law abiding and socially useful life. I have taken this into account in reaching my decision about what the sentence should be. Beyond that there is nothing to mitigate this offence."
When Tannahill was originally found guilty, the child's heartbroken grandmother said she hoped he will die behind bards for what he has done.
The 56-year-old, from Kilmaurs, told how she’s been put through three years of hell after she rescued her baby granddaughter.
The grandmother-of-two, who cannot be named, said: “I hope he’s locked away for a very long time.
“He’s an absolute monster. He has put us through hell for two and a half years.
“To know my granddaughter spent her first weeks in life being tormented by that vile man makes me sick.
“When verdict was read out I just burst out crying. I was with my friend, she is a family friend and she was there through the full thing.
“It was just a relief that it was all over. The thing that has been hanging over us for three years was finally done.”
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The gran has told how she first noticed signs of abuse whilst her dying daughter was battling cancer in hospital.
The grandmother says the conclusion of the trial was justice for her daughter who always wanted to be a mum.
The toddler, who is set to turn three later this year, is happy and doing well.
She said: “This is justice for my daughter who fought so hard to be here for her baby. It’s been horrific fighting this case and praying for justice.
“The jury found him guilty the day after Mother's Day. That was the best Mother's Day present I could have ever asked for."
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