Cruel Richard Baxter bit his 14-month-old son then shook him to death when he would not stop crying, a jury heard yesterday.

Mr Baxter allegedly carried out a prolonged and savage attack on Jake Baxter after a drink and cannabis binge.

He said the youngster fell from a settee, resulting in multiple injuries, including severe brain damage.

Mr Baxter, 31, denied murder at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, but admitted manslaughter following the attack at the family home in Central Mews, Middlesbrough, in August last year.

Roger Thorn QC, prosecuting, said Mr Baxter and girlfriend Paula Moore, Jake's mother, had been drinking and smoking cannabis with friends.

They returned home during the early hours and Ms Moore started preparing a bottle and pyjamas, to put her son to bed.

Mr Thorn said: "When Paula entered the living room, she says the defendant was holding Jake by the waist, shaking him violently backwards and forwards and shouting 'shut up'.

"The defendant then dropped Jake back on the couch."

The court was told that Mr Baxter - who was not the real father but had persuaded his girlfriend to name him on Jake's birth certificate - made a 999 call shortly before 2am.

Mr Baxter told paramedics the child fell off the settee. He later told police Jake hit his head after slipping in the bath.

A post-mortem examination showed 27 marks on his body including bruising to his forehead, temples and neck.

Two adult bite marks, one on either cheek, were discovered on his face.

Mr Baxter refused to give an impression of his teeth for examination, but Mr Thorn said: "The defendant later admitted he bit the baby. He said the baby had bitten his finger, so he bit him back."

Mr Thorn said: "The defendant set about the attack with dedication and purpose and this was not a sudden loss of self-control."

The trial continues.