Mother 'drowned partner's baby', court hears

A mother drowned her four-year-old daughter after witnessing the birth of her partner's baby to another woman, a court heard today.

Rachel Cowley, 43, walked out of Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, with her daughter Isabelle and drowned her in a stream behind the hospital.

Today at the High Court in Edinburgh, Cowley, from Shenval, Glenurquhart, admitted culpable homicide on the basis of diminished responsibility.

At the time, she lived with partner Chris Everitt, Isabelle's father, and a second woman, Nicola Charles.

Cowley was in hospital with Mr Everitt to help with the birth of Ms Charles's child and cut the baby's umbilical cord.

However, when it came to Ms Charles registering the birth, the court was told that Cowley "seemed tense, as if she was not happy with what she was hearing".

At about 7pm on February 23 this year, Cowley left the ward with Isabelle and was seen on CCTV walking in the hospital grounds. When she did not return, Mr Everitt reported them missing and police began searching the grounds.

Officers found the child's body shortly after 3am the following day.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC told the court that before the birth, Cowley, Mr Everitt and Ms Charles "entered into a full sexual relationship with each other".

However, he added that, in his opinion, given the accused's personality, "the domestic situation was untenable".

Mr Prentice said: "The birth of the new baby brought the whole domestic situation into focus and Rachel Cowley's world collapsed around her.

"The baby signified a constant tie between Chris Everitt and Nicola Charles."

He said psychiatrists who examined Cowley believe she has a psychological disorder, most probably a personality disorder.

The court also heard that all family members are "devastated" at Isabelle's death.

Mr Everitt, who has another child with Cowley, did not provide a victim impact statement to the court.

Mr Prentice added: "He (Mr Everitt) has advised that he wishes the court to know that he is of the view that the accused requires help."

Defence solicitor-advocate Murray Macara QC said all the available evidence pointed to Cowley being a "loving and caring mother to Isabelle".

Judge Lord Bannatyne continued the case until September 28, detaining Cowley in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's Orchard Clinic psychiatric unit under an interim compulsion order before she is sentenced.