A 10-MONTH-old baby was left with a life-changing brain injury after being grabbed from a cot and shaken violently by a man who lost his temper after being woken up after going to bed at 5am, Mold crown court heard today (Wednesday, December 9).

Joshua Morris, 29, of Old Colwyn, lied about how it happened and a judge called the injury as probably as serious “ as can be imagined” .

He was jailed for three and a half years after a jury had found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to the baby in January 2018.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told him that had the jury last month not cleared him of acting with intent the sentence could have been more than doubled. “No sentence can reflect the harm done that morning to an innocent child,” he declared.

The judge said there had been “an explosive loss of temper.”

Instead of putting the tot’s interests first he had panicked and lied in a 999 call and to a paramedic.

The baby was critically ill when admitted to hospital and would have died but for the skill of medics and modern medical techniques.

Judge Rowlands said he could see no signs of genuine remorse from Morris, who had a long standing cannabis habit.

After Morris had been found guilty last month Detective Chief Inspector Sion Williams, who led the investigation, said: "There are no winners in this case and I hope Mr Morris will now have time to reflect, finally show some remorse and take responsibility for the devastating effect his actions have had on a little baby and indeed their wider family.

"Some of those family members demonstrated great courage in challenging circumstances to try to assist the investigation team."

He added: "As a result of this momentary act of violence, this child’s future has catastrophically changed, having sustained a life-changing brain injury during the incident.”

Speaking after the sentencing, detective chief inspector Williams said: "Sadly and frankly, no punishment can ever compensate for the life-changing brain injury that this little character sustained during this dreadful incident.

"What appears to have been a momentary act of violence has devastatingly changed this young child’s future, and they will now require life-long professional care.

"Thankfully, this little one is now experiencing life within a loving and nurturing family environment, supported by a number of dedicated and passionate professionals."