Swansea mum jailed for life

Michelle Smith guilty of murdering her baby daughter

A young mother has been jailed for life for murdering her baby daughter by mixing a powerful painkiller into her feed.

Michelle Smith, 34, poisoned seven-week-old baby Amy by giving her the painkiller dihydrocodeine meant only for adults.

Tiny Amy, described as a thriving and contented baby, had previously been admitted to hospital with dihydrocodeine in her system.

But a court heard she was readmitted in November 2007 with a faint heartbeat.

Doctors could not save her and she died hours later.

Swansea Crown Court heard the medication had been prescribed for Smith and her husband Christopher.

But Smith told the jury the drug must have been administered to Amy during a previous visit to hospital.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC said: "There was no record of the painkiller ever being administered by hospital staff.

"The prosecution case here is quite simple - dihydrocodeine contributed significantly to the death of Amy Smith and there were supplies of it in the house.

"Her mother administered dihydrocodeine via her feed from the stock in the house as she had done before on at least one other occasion."

Smith, of Morriston, Swansea, was found guilty after a three-week trial.

Judge Mr Justice Spencer jailed her for life and said Smith must serve at least 12 years before she is considered for parole.

As he sentenced her red-head Smith quietly said: "I didn't do it."

Judge Spencer told her: "The only conclusion is that you must have crushed one or more tablets into Amy's feed.

"Why you chose to deliberately administer that drug to a helpless baby only you know.

"In all probability you were craving and seeking attention from the doctors in the hospital."

Det Sgt Justin Evans said after the case: "Amy was only six weeks old when she was
killed by the one person who should have done more than any other to keep her
safe.

"She would have been approaching her fifth birthday now and Michelle Smith's actions have left a family without a much-loved little girl."

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