A FATHER is facing an indefinite prison sentence after being convicted of trying to murder his newborn son by giving him potent adult painkillers.

The Darlington man could be jailed for the protection of the public and freed only when the Parole Board is convinced that he is no longer a risk to other people.

He will be sentenced next month after a psychiatrist has interviewed him and reported to Teesside’s most senior judge how dangerous he is.

The media is still prohibited from naming the man, however, after a challenge by The Northern Echo to a legal ruling was yesterday rejected.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox refused to lift an order which means the potentially-dangerous 30-yearold remains anonymous.

On Friday, a jury at Teesside Crown Court found the man guilty of administering a poison or noxious substance so as to endanger life, and child cruelty.

Yesterday, the panel of seven women and five men spent a further two-and-ahalf hours deliberating before convicting him of a charge of attempted murder.

Judge Fox adjourned the case after telling the defendant and the jury that he had a duty to consider a sentence of imprisonment for public protection.

He described the case as very unusual and one of considerable anxiety, and said he wanted the fullest possible picture on the man before sentencing him.

During a three-week trial, the jury heard how the father had sole care of his son on the majority of occasions he became ill in the first three months of his life.

Doctors were baffled by the baby’s repeated admissions to hospital and bouts of apparently unexplained drowsiness and sickness throughout autumn 2008.

The baby was admitted to four hospitals in the North-East on 18 occasions, and in several incidents would have died but for medical intervention.

Blood and urine tests later showed that he had been fed adult painkillers codeine and Tramadol – described as potent by child health expert, Dr Kate Ward.

The father denied charges of attempted murder, administering a poison – codeine – so as to endanger life, child cruelty, and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Following the guilty verdicts, Detective Sergeant Sarah Jackson, from the Darlington child abuse investigation team, revealed how the case had affected colleagues.

“This has been a protracted investigation into horrendous offences against a defenceless baby who was only six days old when the abuse started,” she said.

“It has been a harrowing case for the investigating officers and parties involved.

“The baby’s mother and her family have endured over a year of stress and uncertainty – including giving evidence and separation from her baby.”