PA
A 24-year-old man has been jailed indefinitely after a sickening attack on a toddler.
Dean Cochrane of Grangetown, Middlesborough, blamed the little girl's family for her injuries, which were so severe they left police officers in tears.
Cochrane left the child with two skull fractures, 68 bruises and swelling of the scalp. The toddler's mum had already been given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting child cruelty by neglect.
The court in Teeside was told the child had a complex skull fracture to the right side either from being struck with a heavy object or having her head banged against something. Another impact had caused a left-hand side fracture and bleeding on her brain.
She also had a bite mark on her shoulder which Cochrane admitted inflicting only after experts proved the teeth marks were his. He claimed to have bitten the child to teach her 'not to bite others'. He had tried to hide her injuries using talcum powder and ink.
Cochrane, who has previous convictions, shouted 'nice one' at the judge as he was handed down his sentence. Recorder Carl Gumsley, said Cochrane, who has previous convictions, had shown no remorse for his horrific crimes.