A woman has gone on trial accused of causing a child unnecessary suffering by making him go through “unnecessary” operations.
Tracy Anne Menhinick, a former auxiliary nurse, is facing a charge of wilful ill-treatment towards the boy between April 1 2014 and July 21 2017.
The child – who cannot be identified – was aged between three and six at the time.
Menhinick, 51, went on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen today.
She denies the charge against her.
The jury at the High Court heard Menhinick is accused of administering non-prescription medication to the boy in the form of Lactulose, a sugar-based drug often used to treat people suffering from the effects of liver disease.
It is claimed this caused the child’s development and mobility to be affected, which also resulted in his being admitted to the hospital.
The charge further alleges that Ms Menhinick “consented to treatments, procedures and operations” on the boy that she knew were unnecessary.
It is said this caused the child permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and endangered his life.
She was also accused of causing the child “unnecessary suffering or injury to health”.
Accused worked as auxiliary nurse
It was stated that Menhinick worked for more than 10 years as an auxiliary nurse at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and before that as a regular nurse.
The court also heard that Menhinick worked for nearly a decade as a homecare worker for NHS Grampian.
Menhinick’s defence advocate Frances Connor entered a plea of not guilty on her client’s behalf.
Evidence will be led by the advocate depute for the Crown Paul Kearney KC tomorrow morning.
The trial, before Lord Andrew Young, continues.
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