Derry father 'abused trust' in shaken baby case

A County Londonderry man, convicted of leaving his baby son permanently disabled by shaking him, abused his position of trust, a court has heard.

Robert John Anderson, 27, was found guilty earlier this year of causing grievous bodily harm to his 18-week-old son. He was also convicted of cruelty.

The child was left blind and is confined to a wheelchair. He will need life long care.

Anderson will be sentenced later this month.

Reporting restrictions mean that Anderson's address cannot be made public and his baby cannot be named.

On Wednesday a prosecuting counsel told Belfast Crown Court about the vulnerability of the helpless victim.

He said the defendant had abused his position of trust and still had not accepted that he had caused the injuries.

A defending barrister told the court that the defendant had no history of abuse or ill treatment of children and that he had shown some remorse by telling social workers he had not meant to hurt his son.

The court heard from an expert psychologist, who said the defendant was not a serious risk to the public but should never be left to look after children alone.

Judge Philip Babington said he wanted to reflect on the submissions and would sentence Anderson in Londonderry Crown Court on June 28.