A MAN’S “momentary loss of control” while left in charge of a baby has had catastrophic consequences for the child, a court heard.

Callum Frederick Bell is thought to have lost his temper, possibly with the child’s crying, while the mother was out collecting washing on June 12, 2014.

Durham Crown Court heard that when she returned she saw Bell coming down the stairs with her baby limply in his arms crying and apparently with a head injury.

Rupert Doswell, prosecuting, said they rushed across the road to a nearby doctor’s surgery, where nurses gave immediate treatment.

The child was then taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and given emergency treatment in paediatric intensive care.

The court heard the baby had bleeding on the brain and further haemorrhaging.

Mr Doswell said the child underwent three operations to reduce subsequent swelling of the brain and spent several weeks in intensive care.

But he said although the baby has made a recovery, there will be long-term medical consequences.

These include weakness down the right hand side of the body, making it difficult to unclench that hand, plus difficulty with motor control and co-ordination, which may require splints to be fitted for stability.

The child also requires one-to-one attention at nursery school and is on medication, while facing further treatment to rebuild their skull.

Mr Doswell said Bell’s account, that the child fell to the floor, despite him trying catch the child by the arm, was rejected by paediatric experts, who believe the trauma injury to the brain was caused by the head being forced onto a hard surface.

Bell, 23, of Hartlepool Street North, in Thornley, east Durham, initially denied unlawful wounding/causing grievous bodily harm.

But on the day his trial was to have begun, he pleaded guilty at the court, last month.

The case was adjourned for background reports on the defendant, who has no previous convictions for violence.

Tony Hawks, mitigating, told the court: “This is a sad and distressing case.

“For what was a momentary loss of control by this young man, a whole number of lives have been ruined.

“He’s not a wicked, or bad person and has to live with the consequences of what he has done for the rest of his life.

“He did plead ‘guilty’ eventually. When one is dealing with a relatively immature young man, it may have taken a considerable amount of time to come to terms with the implications of what he has done.

“He’s found it hard to accept it was a momentary loss of self-control and has found it almost impossible to comprehend how such an action, on his behalf, can have had such catastrophic consequences for all concerned.

“It goes without saying he’s wracked with remorse about it and developed serious mental health, as a result.

“Given his lack of experience and maturity he was wholly unable to cope and, faced with a screaming child or crying baby, he lost control for a short period of time.

“It wasn’t a deliberate assault on this child.

“He didn’t seek to disguise it or blame anyone else, but he wasn’t prepared to be frank about it to medical services and police.

“Members of his family have stood by him and are appalled at what has happened. They have found it hard to believe because he’s not a wicked young man.”

Jailing him for three years, Judge Simon Hickey told Bell: “In my judgement you lost your temper and significantly impacted the baby's head onto a surface, with great consequences.”

Speaking after the hearing, the officer overseeing the police inquiry, Detective Constable Karen Veitch, said: “It’s been a very emotive case throughout for all concerned.

“Everyone is going to have to come to terms with the fall-out of these actions.”