NEWPORT man Gary Joy has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of causing "devastating" injuries to a baby by shaking him violently.

Gary Joy, aged 26, of Wye Crescent, Bettws, was found guilty by jury at Newport Crown Court of causing grevious bodily harm with intent to the boy, who was just two months old at the time.

He was told by Judge Jonathan Furness QC that his offence committed in December 2012 when the baby was in his care went "beyond its mere name" in this case.

"People who suffer really serious harm can still make recoveries. Unfortunately, he will never recover from his injuries," said Judge Furness.

In sentencing Joy, the judge described the extent of the disabilities the child, now three, has to live with.

“He has cerebral palsy and his brain is not growing so the size of his head is small. He has poor vision and is globally delayed. He cannot chew, he cannot move his hands purposefully.

“He cannot sit up unaided, he cannot weight bear and he is at risk of epilepsy.

“He is a severely disabled young boy, totally dependent on carers and will remain so,” said Judge Furness.

“To call that serious harm does not do justice to the harm that has been caused.

"This was an incident that occurred in a moment of frustration when you lost control of your senses.

"I am conscious of what you did on December 27, 2012 is something that is very difficult to come to terms with and I suspect you have not come to terms with it yet.

"It will hang over you for the rest of your life", said Judge Furness.

Joy was cleared by the jury of a charge of causing cruelty to a child aged under 16 years.

The baby, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was rushed to the Royal Gwent Hospital on December 27 2012, after suffering fits.

A series of catastrophic injuries were discovered, including bleeding on the brain and spine, and in the retinas of his eyes.

Medical experts told the court that the injuries could not have been accidental, and were most likely caused by shaking.

Joy, who according to assessments is below average mentally - in the bottom three per cent - and has dyslexia, told police in an interview that he believed he was "playing with the baby by throwing him in the air" but did not know how many times he had done that.

He called his actions "stupid" and described how, a short time later, the baby's "eyes rolled back, his back was arching and he seemed unwell."

Joy said he phoned an ambulance and performed CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). He denied causing the injuries.

A spokesman for NSPCC Cymru (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) said it is right that Joy be jailed for a "despicable assault" and "senseless actions that have caused irreparable damage to this child’s life." 

“Our thoughts are with the family of this little boy, who will live with the legacy of this horrific treatment," he said.