Laura Docherty

Laura Docherty, a 35-year-old woman from Glenrothes, Scotland, has been convicted of attempting to murder a two-year-old girl by administering unprescribed adult medication. The drugs included amitriptyline, propranolol, and dihydrocodeine, which are antidepressants and painkillers.

Key Facts and Dates:

• Offences Committed: Between April 2021 and February 2023, Docherty repeatedly gave the child these medications at an address in Edinburgh, on a ward at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, and other locations. The child suffered seizures, reduced consciousness, and required resuscitation, ventilation, and intensive medical intervention due to Docherty's actions.
• Charges: Docherty faced charges of attempted murder and wilful ill-treatment of the girl. She was also accused of fraud for allegedly setting up a GoFundMe page under the pseudonym "Lucy" to raise money for the child, falsely claiming the child had a neurological illness.
• Trial and Conviction: Docherty denied the charge of attempted murder. However, a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh unanimously found her guilty in December 2025.
• Court Appearances and Proceedings:
• During her trial, Docherty, who was on bail, posted videos on TikTok mocking the trial process.
• Following her conviction, she was remanded in custody.
• Sentencing was initially delayed to allow for the preparation of a psychiatric report.
• In March 2026, a hearing discussed the psychiatric report, which indicated Docherty suffers from "emotionally unstable personality disorder" and has a "pathological desire for attention". Judge Michael O'Grady KC described her actions as "deeply troubling and truly shocking," "utterly reckless and breathtakingly wicked," and noted her as "dishonest, manipulative and cunning".
• The judge requested an assessment for an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR), a rare lifelong sentence in the Scottish legal system for serious cases not involving murder.
• A sentencing hearing scheduled for June 16, 2026, was adjourned until July 7, 2026, at the High Court in Inverness, to allow her lawyers to consider a full risk assessment report.
• Court Decisions: Docherty was unanimously found guilty of attempted murder. She has been warned she may spend the rest of her life in prison under an OLR. She continues to deny responsibility and shows no insight or remorse for her actions.