Sunderland thug who left newborn baby with 21 bone fractures is jailed for 15 YEARS

Kristian Hagan had been alone with the tot for just ten minutes when he took picked him up, removed his nappy and caused an injury to his bottom that medics said would be commonly seen in someone who had just had invasive surgery. Newcastle Crown Court heard the baby bled heavily and was taken to hospital, where a shocking catalogue of further injuries was found, including fractures, bruising and a pinch mark.

Hagan, 24, of Mowbray Close, Sunderland, denied assaulting the young victim but was found guilty of two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two of assault by a jury after a trial. Judge Julie Clemitson today jailed him for 15 years.

Judge Clemitson said babies are "completely helpless" and cannot communicate other than by crying and cannot complain that they have been hurt.

The judge added: "Babies can't tell anyone what happened to them." Judge Clemitson said Hagan was a cocaine user at the time of the attack, which exacerbated his own mental health issues and affected his ability to mange his emotions and temper.

The court heard the baby had fractures to his ribs at the front and back, possibly caused by squeezing, forceful gripping or a direct blow, such as beingslammed onto a hard surface. He had fractures to his thighs, shins and forearm.

The court heard the baby had bruising to his abdomen, which had the appearance of a pinch mark and bruises to his thigh. One of his eyes was also reddened. The court heard some of the injuries would have been "extremely painful" when inflicted and the one to his bottom would have been "excruciating".

Judge Clemitson told Hagan: "You demonstrated at the time a capacity to inflict very serious harm upon an extremely vulnerable infant."

The court heard Hagan has no previous conviction and has been in employment.