A teenager who died in front of the television could have survived if her mother had got her appropriate help, a court has ruled. Robyn Goldie, 13, passed away in great pain as a result of a perforated stomach ulcer while watching the ITV game show Tipping Point in July, 2018 in Wishaw, Lanarkshire. Her mum, Sharon Goldie, 49, had gone to the pub. Robyn could still be here today if medical attention had been sought, Sheriff Linda Nicolson ruled at Hamilton Sheriff Court. Goldie refused to seek medical attention for her daughter after she developed peritonitis and suffered a perforated duodenal ulcer.
A friend offered to take Robyn to a hospital in a taxi which her mum refused, and, on July 25, Robyn begged a neighbour from her garden to help her get an ambulance, insisting that she could not breathe. But her mother interrupted and told Robyn to go back inside. A day later, she died in front of the TV alone.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Linda Nicholson concluded that Robyn’s mother seeking medical attention for Robyn would have been a reasonable precaution, the Daily Record reported.
Either this or, at least, allowing her to access medical attention.
Sheriff Nicholson said: “Had that precaution been taken, it might realistically have resulted in the death being avoided.”
It was also found that North Lanarkshire Council social work policies and procedures were not complied with.
A written comprehensive assessment, a written child’s plan, and adequate supervision of workers were lacking.
The Sheriff added that child protection measures should have been put in place, and a referral made to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, earlier than they were.
Sheriff Nicholson concluded: “I conclude that there was systemic failure on the part of social work to the extent of failure to comply with policy and procedures in Robyn’s case.
“That included not only the lack of a written comprehensive assessment and child’s plan but also a lack of supervision.
“However, the evidence did not support that the systemic failure contributed to Robyn’s death.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “The death of Robyn Goldie was a tragedy. The sheriff found that Robyn’s death could have been prevented by her mother seeking appropriate medical assistance. Robyn’s mother was convicted of neglect and ill-treatment at the High Court in 2020.
“However, the sheriff also found that some of the systems of work used by the council were not effective or fully complied with, and some decisions about Robyn’s case could have been taken earlier.
“A serious case review after Robyn’s death made similar findings. The sheriff concluded that alternative approaches would not have prevented Robyn’s death, and has made no recommendations to the council as part of the inquiry.
“The council agrees with the sheriff’s findings and those of the serious case review. New systems of work, both nationally and within the council, have been adopted with the aim of improving recording, sharing of information and decision-making.”
