A doctor working at Alloa Health Centre told the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, his suspicions were aroused when he examined a 10-month-old boy who was said to have fallen from a couch.

Dr Adrian Ward, 31, said when he saw ''finger tip'' bruising on the child's body, bruising on the rib cage and swelling on three sides of the head, he suspected ''non-accidental injury''.

The boy's 22-year-old mother, who had brought him to the surgery, told him: ''He fell from the couch onto a Hoover.''

It was very common for small children to roll off a couch, he said, but usually there was one ''point of impact'' bruise not multiple severe bruising. The child's injuries in this case did not appear accidental.

He immediately informed Stirling Royal Infirmary that he was sending the boy for further examination.

Dr Ward was giving evidence at the start of the trial of Mr Thomas Stanfield,19, who denies assaulting the child to his severe injury and danger of life.

It is alleged Mr Stanfield, of Coatbridge Road, Glenmavis, Airdrie, seized the baby violently by the body and leg, shook him violently, repeatedly struck him with his hand or other object and struck his head against a solid object. The alleged attack was said to have taken place in a house in Clackmannan, in May 1997.

Mr Stanfield, in a special defence of incrimination, blames the child's mother or another man who he alleged visited the house.

The trial before Lord Johnston continues.