A BABYSITTER who repeatedly rammed a two-year-old boy's head against a set of bannisters was last night facing a life sentence after she was convicted of murder.

Suzanne Holdsworth, 35, had denied the fatal attack on Kyle Fisher, the force of which was likened to being thrown from a car at 60mph.

The toddler suffered severe brain swelling and bruising to his jaw, shoulders and head following the assault at Holdsworth's Hartlepool home. He died two days later in Newcastle General Hospital when his life support machine was switched off.

Yesterday, the jury in Holdsworth's trial at Teesside Crown Court returned a unanimous verdict of guilty to murder after deliberating for more than six hours.

As the jury foreman returned the verdict, Holdsworth collapsed in the dock. There were also cries and shouts from the public gallery.

Judge Mr Justice Grigson said he would adjourn for psychiatric reports on Holds-worth ahead of sentencing.

He said he would sentence her at Leeds Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed, said a mandatory life sentence would be passed, but he would have to make recommendations as to the minimum term she would serve.

After the verdict, Kyle's mother, Clare, made no immediate comment, although a statement from the family was released by police.

It said: "We have got justice for Kyle, but sadly it will never bring him back to us.

"He was an angelic, bright little boy with a wonderful life in front of him.

"You do not expect your children to die before you and with his death our whole lives were changed and thrown into turmoil and darkness.

"It plunged us into a world that was surreal. We were left helpless and simply could not believe what had happened."

The statement concluded: "Even now we find it hard to accept that this wonderful little boy who has brought such magic and joy into everyone's lives has gone.

"Words, though, cannot express what we feel for Holdsworth."

Supermarket checkout worker Holdsworth had been looking after Kyle at her home in Millpool Close, Hartlepool, while his 19-year-old mother went to a nightclub.

She said Kyle had fallen out of bed, suffering head injuries, and then began to have a fit while in her care.

However, the prosecution produced medical evidence to the contrary.

Kyle died from massive head injuries with the carved wooden bannister rails matching bruises on his head.

Nicholas Todd, a consultant neurosurgeon at Newcastle General Hospital, said the two year-old's injuries would have been so severe he would not have been able to stand, talk, or grip after them.