Father gets life for baby murder

Craig Goddard, 24, who had problems with drugs and anger management, was told he must serve a minimum of 11 years in prison for the murder of three-month-old Alfie in May last year.

The death happened in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where the local authority has come under fire after seven children died through abuse or neglect since 2004. The Government has ordered an investigation into Doncaster Council's children's services after an inspection found them to be "inadequate".

A serious case review has been launched into Alfie's death and those of the six other children to find out what mistakes were made in each incident.

But Sheffield Crown Court heard that social services were not to blame for the death.

Goddard appeared for the sentencing at the court along with his former partner Lindsay Harris, who has admitted perverting the course of justice.

Harris was sentenced to 12 months detention, suspended for two years, and told to do 150 hours of unpaid work after admitting lying to police about what happened to her son.

The court heard that on May 23 last year Goddard became frustrated when son Alfie would not settle.

Simon Jackson QC, prosecuting, told the court the defendant squeezed Alfie so hard he fractured his ribs, shook him vigorously and then dropped him from a height of five feet.

The young baby was taken to hospital, where he died on May 26 after resuscitation attempts failed. A post-mortem examination found he had head injuries, three broken ribs and bruising, which were consistent with "squeezing by vigorous shaking followed by the child impacting on the floor".