Mother who murdered her newborn daughter before blaming a child jailed for at least 19 years

Published: 13:44, 28 May 2026 | Updated: 13:44, 28 May 2026 A mother who murdered her newborn daughter before blaming another child has been jailed for at least 19 years. Nicole Blain, 30, lost her temper while supposedly looking after 19-day old Thea June Wilson at her flat in Greenock, Inverclyde on July 14 2023. Thea suffered a string of catastrophic injuries including three skull fractures, brain damage and bleeding behind the eyes. These were consistent with the baby being violently shaken and repeatedly hit off a hard floor, wall or furniture. But, in a sick cover-up bid, Blain said she had woken up from a nap to find her daughter stricken on the floor - and went on to claim another child had been responsible. Blain, who was convicted of the murder last month, returned to the High Court in Glasgow today where judge Lord Scott imposed a life sentence on her. The judge told Blain: 'Despite what you have continued to say, what happened was no accident. 'It could not have been caused by a fall or being dropped. Nicole Blain, 30, killed her 19-day old baby girl Thea June Wilson at her flat in Greenock Little Thea was said to have suffered a string of catastrophic injuries including three skull fractures, brain damage and bleeding behind the eyes 'Despite persistent attempts to suggest it, what was done was not by another child, but by you, the main person responsible for the care of baby Thea. 'Rather than love, protect and nurture her, what Thea received from you was catastrophic deadly violence. 'What the jury decided beyond reasonable doubt was that, in an act that was intentional or wickedly reckless, you murdered a tiny defenceless baby. 'With a hint of pre-meditation, you did this having previously suggested that you were worried what would happen to Thea mentioning also the other child being rough.' A large group of women were in court mainly due to the attention the case got on both mainstream and social media. One yelled at an emotionless Blain as she was led back to the cells: 'F****** monster'. Thea was described during the trial as “perfect” when she was born on June 25 2023. But, after the birth, Blain claimed to be “struggling” with post-natal depression. In a text to the baby’s paternal grandmother Laura Wilson, she stated: 'I’m not well enough to do this and be responsible for a baby so little. My head is a mess. I’m scared she is going to die. It’s horrible.' Mrs Wilson - whose son Ross, 32, had been in a relationship with Blain before she fell pregnant - gave evidence. The 59 year-old told how the last she saw the baby was on July 8 2023. She said Thea was “fantastic” and that she had no worries about her. On the day of the killing, there had been a plan for Blain to take child to Mrs Wilson’s home in Ayrshire. But, it was around 2pm that afternoon, the gran’s husband Alan took a call on her mobile from Blain. Mr Wilson, 59, told jurors: 'I could hear screaming. I had never heard anything like it. 'It was piercing and extremely loud. I thought it was an older child doing it, but then I realised it was the baby who was screaming. 'She (Blain) did mumble "I do not know what to do". She did not sound right. 'I said "hang up and phone an ambulance".' Twisted Blain tried to escape justice by claiming the injuries were caused by another child  Mrs Wilson also spoke with the killer mum. The witness recalled: 'She said she had found Thea on the floor with no clothes on and had a bump on her head.' Mrs Wilson rushed through to the hospital in Glasgow to be there for her beloved grand-daughter. She quizzed Blain on what had happened at the flat. Mrs Wilson: 'She said that it was (another child also staying with her) who had done it.' Blain added she had woke up and found Thea out of her crib and on the floor. Thea tragically did not recover - it was concluded the baby had suffered 'significant non-accidental head trauma'. As well as the skull fractures, Thea also had injuries to her ribs consistent with her chest being pressed. The baby’s neck was also hurt which could have been from “forceful” movement back and forwards of her head. Pathologist Leighanne Deboys told the jury a combination of Thea being shaken and impact with a hard surface would account for these horrific injuries - described by another medic as similar to those suffered by a car crash victim. Another witness Blain fed lies to was social worker Stacey Jones. The 35 year-old met with the mum in the hospital shortly after the attack. Miss Jones told the trial: 'She was extremely distressed. The only thing I can recall her saying was "I do not know how I will forgive (another child) for this" or words to that effect.' Blain also testified during her trial and sobbed as she claimed her daughter’s death was “a tragic accident”. She said took a nap that day with Thea asleep in her crib. Blain was awoken by a neighbour at the door - and claimed not to have initially seen the now apparently naked baby on the floor. The killer said she did not know for definite what happened to Thea, but that 'never in a million years' would she have harmed her. She also denied 'throwing (the other child) under the bus' by claiming she had been responsible. Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC said any suggestion another child could have caused the injuries was 'just nonsense'. Blain’s lawyer Thomas Ross told the court she has effectively been in solitary confinement for most of her time in HMP Stirling after being remanded. The KC added: 'Since May 18, she has been allowed to leave for meals for 10 minutes and also for a short period of exercise. 'Whatever the sentence, the experience of prison will be extremely difficult for her.' After the hearing the women in court held a balloon release in tribute to the baby along with cries of 'Justice for Thea'. Lord Scott told the court he had read three “moving” impact statements from Thea’s father and grandparents. The judge: 'They each give insight into the severe and continuing impact into their lives of a much loved child. Blain’s lawyer said the killer has 'effectively been in solitary confinement' for most of her time in jail since she was remanded in custody 'Ross Wilson said losing Thea broke his heart and shattered his life. 'He described being a dad as the most important thing in his life. 'He has suffered feelings of guilt wondering if he could have done more to prevent Thea’s needless death. 'He said: "I only had 45 minutes with Thea before she died. This was 45 minutes to say goodbye to the girl I loved more than anything". '"The emptiness I felt walking away from her since that moment I cannot sleep, eat or take part in any form of physical exercise. '"The pain is constant - it does not ease, it does not fade".' All three were unable to attend Thea’s funeral. The judge remarked this was because of 'something for reasons I do not know, but may be attributable' to Blain. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. 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