Mother of methadone death toddler moves closer to extradition

Published on Thursday 29 January 2009 09:10

THE mother of a toddler who died after ingesting prescription methadone and diazepam on a family holiday today moved a step closer to being extradited to Spain to stand trial for allegedly killing him.

Corinna Reid, 33, is wanted by the Spanish authorities to face charges over the death of her 16-month-old son Aiden Cormack-Reid in Tenerife two years ago.

Her case is now in the hands of Scottish ministers after a sheriff recommended she be extradited.

Aiden's father Robert Cormack, 38, was transported to Spain today after agreeing to his extradition last week.

The offence is alleged to have taken place at the Hotel Paraiso Floral de Adeje in Tenerife on January 12, 2007.

Spanish authorities initially told the couple Aiden died due to respiratory failure brought on by bronchitis and allowed them to return home to Edinburgh.

But further toxicology reports carried out last year found the toddler had prescribed methadone and diazepam in his system.

The couple were told of the results and questioned last April and a European arrest warrant was issued for them.

If found guilty of murder, they could face a maximum 20-year jail sentence, or 15 years for manslaughter.

Miss Reid's lawyer, Ewen Roy, argued that extraditing her would breach her human rights because she is nursing the couple's six-month-old daughter.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Sheriff Frank Crowe ruled there were not "exceptional circumstances" to prevent her being handed over to Spain.

Mr Roy said his client intended to appeal the decision at the High Court next month.

Miss Reid declined to comment as she left court with family members.