Baby is burned after firework is thrown into pram

Nov 19 2008 by Charlie Rowney, Wishaw Press

MINDLESS yobs threw a lit firework into a baby’s pram, burning the helpless tot’s neck.

The 10-month-old baby girl was in a buggy outside a shop in New Stevenson and when her mum turned her back briefly to check on her older son (10), youths threw the firework.

The 43-year-old mother was standing outside the shops in Carfin Street near to Taylor High School with her daughter while her son went into the shop.

She was worried about what was taking him so long and looked inside the shop to check on him.

And when she turned around just a few seconds later, she saw sparks coming from inside the pram.

The tot’s jacket had ignited and once the terrified mother had frantically stripped the baby’s clothes off, she realised her daughter had three small burns to her neck.

Luckily, the little girl was not badly injured and did not require any medical treatment following the incident, which happened at around 3.40pm on November 3.

Constable Alan Wylie from Bellshill Community Safety team said: “This was a totally mindless act and another example how dangerous horseplay, and the misuse of fireworks, can be.

“It is very fortunate the baby was not more seriously hurt."

"The area outside the shops in Carfin Street was busy at the time, with a lot of school children around. I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward or contact Crimestoppers."

Anyone with information should contact Bellshill Police Office on 01698 202400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.