A WIRRAL dad who caused a catalogue of injuries to his six-week-old son has been jailed for 11 years.

Liverpool Crown Court also heard while on bail for the attack Sean Cottrell violently beat his four-month-old puppy causing such terrible injuries that it had to be put to sleep.

Sentencing him, Judge Robert Warnock said that he had shown a complete lack of insight into what he had done to his son and the case involved "the flagrant abuse of power and trust."

22-year-old Cottrell, of Park Road South, Claughton, had been found guilty of one charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two of inflicting grievous bodily harm to the baby.

"The amount of force used by you was substantial and obvious and it is clear to me that you lost your temper and for whatever reason pulled, squeezed and shook the child so violently as to cause those injuries," said Judge Warnock.

While alone with him at the child's home in Howson Street, Rock Ferry, for just 15 minutes he broke his right leg by twisting and pulling, fractured two ribs through squeezing him tight while shaking him so hard his brain struck the inside of his skull causing bleeding.

The court heard that the boy has shown no signs of brain damage since the incident on July 9, 2013 but the judge pointed out that the long term prognosis is unknown.

"You were left alone and in charge of your son for a short period of time. You, for whatever reason had concluded that your son had not bonded with you in any meaningful way and to use your expression 'hated' you.

"A view which in my judgement accurately reflects your total lack of insight into the needs and capacities of an infant child," said Judge Warnock.

He was then unable or unwilling to reveal what he had done, thereby delaying medical treatment by about a day, and fabricated an unrealistic story about how he might have accidentally sustained his injuries.

The judge said Cottrell had tried to suggest the baby's mum, and or her own mum, were in some way responsible - but the only person to blame was Cottrell and there was no blame or criticism of them.

He pointed out that the offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and failing to get treatment from a vet,"emphasises the lengths you will go having lost your temper through frustration" and believed it was right to conclude he would benefit from psychological intervention.

Cottrell was jailed for 14 weeks last August for injuring the puppy, Staffordshire bull terrier cross, 'Dexter', and a vet described its injuries as "the single worst case of animal suffering in my entire career" and likened it to injuries caused by being hit by a car.

Christopher Stables, prosecuting, said that the puppy, described as 'placid and well behaved' was injured just before Christmas 2013 and a member of the public reported hearing about 20 thuds over two minutes and the puppy screaming out.

The animal, whose injuries included brain damage, was put to sleep "as an act of mercy".

Janet Reaney, defending, said the assault on the child arose from a background of frustration.

While being in prison on remand he has reflected on his behaviour and now accepts responsibility for the injuries.