A FORMER soldier who shook his three-week-old baby so violently he has been left permanently disabled was today jailed for two years eight months.

But because 21-year-old Dean Hodkinson has already served seven months in custody he could be released on licence in less than nine months.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the attack on the infant, Anthony Payne, has left him mentally and physically disabled.

Hodkinson, formerly of Poulton Road, Wallasey, showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.

Jailing him, Judge William George said: "You took hold of Anthony, a vulnerable three-week-old child and violently squeezed and shook him causing him grievous bodily harm, not only to his body but also to his brain.

"As a result not only has his quality of life and enjoyment of life been affected, but also, if he survives, he will suffer from serious disability."

The court heard the previously healthy three-week-old baby suffered bleeding and damage to the brain, fractures to at least 17 ribs and breaks to his collar bones and both shoulders in the attack.

John Benson QC, prosecuting, said: "The prognosis is that Anthony is, and will remain, considerably handicapped for the rest of his life.

"He will be dependent on others full-time for the rest of his life."

Mr Benson told the court that Hodkinson was staying with Anthony's mum and grandmother at their Poulton Road home in Wallasey following Anthony's birth.

On the morning of August 9, 2008, Hodkinson went downstairs alone with the baby.

About twenty minutes later he came back upstairs asking Cara: "What does it mean when the baby goes all floppy?"

Mr Benson told the court: "It was clear Anthony was very unwell. Cara took him - she was immediately aware he was floppy and unresponsive."

An ambulance was called and Anthony was rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital, where staff called police and social services.

The baby was later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

"Anthony's brain and skeletal injuries were caused by a combination of shaking and excessively forceful squeezing, probably, the prosecution say, at the same time," said Mr Benson.

"Those injuries were caused by this defendant when he was alone with Anthony downstairs.

"The force used was well in excess of what was appropriate in handling a three-week-old baby."

In interview, Hodkinson admitted some rough handling, but insisted his son had simply become floppy.

He denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing grievous bodily harm, and last April a Liverpool Crown Court jury were unable to reach a decision at his trial.

But earlier this month, as his retrial was due to begin, Hodkinson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.

Andrew O'Byrne QC, defending, said: "It is dreadful what occurred to Anthony and nothing we will say on the behalf of this defendant will bring any comfort to the family and in particular Cara, who will rightly have a long and justified sense of grievance about what occurred.

"This young man is remorseful and his conviction shows he has proper insight and understanding into how he behaved, for himself, for his son and for his son's mother and family, who will be responsible for his care for many years to come."