A SEVEN-week-old baby was treated in hospital after being hit in the stomach by a carton containing cola and ice cubes after it was dropped from the top floor of a shopping centre.

Baby Donnie Robinson needed scans on his tiny body and had to spend the night in hospital after developing breathing difficulties following the incident.

He was being pushed through Middleton Grange shopping centre in Hartlepool at about 4pm on Monday (July 20), when the large drinks container, containing cola and ice cubes, was dropped on him - hitting him hard in the stomach as he lay in his pram.

He instantly woke up screaming and struggling to get his breath.

Terrified parents, Polly Craggs and Peter Robinson, took him straight to the nearby One Life Centre, before he was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton for monitoring and treatment.

He has escaped any long-lasting injury and has now been allowed home.

Mr Robinson, 25, said: "They're absolute scumbags whoever did this. It was the worst thing I have ever witnessed in my life.

"Babies are so fragile. I keep thinking what if it had hit him in the head.

"The carton of coke was nearly as big as him"

He said he ran up to the top floor of the shopping centre but a witness said whoever had dropped the drink had run away.

Police are appealing for information after the incident.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The baby was being pushed in his pram through the shopping centre. A large cup containing cola and ice cubes landed in the pram, hitting the baby. Officers are looking into the circumstances of what happened."

Mark Rycraft, shopping centre manager, said: "We are working with the police to assist wherever we can in their investigation. Anti-social behaviour of any kind is not tolerated at the centre. Our thoughts are with the baby and his parents and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone who may have further information is asked to contact PC Eugene Wilson on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.