A MAN has been sentenced to eight years in prison for drunkenly inflicting injuries on a baby boy which left him permanently brain damaged.
Darran Brown, 32, formerly of Bridge Street, Leatherhead, denied charges of grievous bodily harm with intent, grievous bodily harm and cruelty to a child.
But he was convicted by a jury of all three offences, and sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday last week.
The baby, less than a year old at the time, suffered substantial bleeding and swelling to the head, causing damage to his brain.
He also suffered a fractured arm, bruising to his ear, a tear to his upper lip, and bruising to his leg.
Michael Turner, mitigating, pointed to Brown's previous good character and described his actions against the child as a "temporary loss of control with drink".
In sentencing, Judge Neil Stewart noted that, on the evening of the assault, Brown had been drinking "to the extent that people who saw you were so concerned by your condition that they tried to stop you driving your car".
Traces of cannabis and cocaine were also found in Brown's urine the day after the attack.
Prosecuting, John Causer said: "The injuries sustained by the child are not attributable to a singular incident."
In handing down the sentence, Judge Stewart said the child "would never be able to lead an independent life".
He added: "That is a terrible tragedy and nothing this court can do can correct what has been done."
The charge of cruelty to a child related to Brown's failure to call medical assistance for the baby after the injuries were inflicted.
Judge Stewart said in reaching his decision he had taken into account Brown's use of drink and drugs, but said: "You had the freedom to decide what you would consume when you knew that you would be looking after the baby that evening."
He added: "What is clear is that you lost control. It seems that something happened which caused you to become enraged with the child."
Following the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable James Chapman, from the East Surrey Public Protection Investigation Unit, said: "This was a cruel and violent act on an innocent child who was unable to defend himself against a grown man and, although this sentence will never undo the damage caused by this man, it will make sure people are protected from him for some time."
