The mother of a two-year-old boy has described her "heartbreak" over the loss of her "special boy" as her ex-partner was jailed for life for his murder.
Joseph Eke showed no emotion as he was sentenced to serve a minimum of 18 years for the murder of Harry House on May 26 last year.
The 22-year-old inflicted the "catastrophic" fatal injuries when he "lost his temper" while left alone with the toddler at their family home in Broadmayne, Dorset, for a few minutes while the child's mother had popped to the shops.
In a statement read to the court, Harry's mother Lauren O'Neill said of the defendant: "He has ruined so many people's lives and not shown an ounce of remorse.
"We are truly heart-broken, he was such a special boy."
Following a three-week trial, a jury at Winchester Crown Court found Eke guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm.
Sentencing him, the judge, Mrs Justice May, told Eke: "You wilfully, fatally, failed Harry when you assaulted him, taking his life."
She added that Miss O'Neill had been "in denial" about the abuse carried out by Eke in the last days of Harry's life which had left him covered in bruises and suffering from broken ribs which was the subject of the GBH charge.
She said: "No-one will ever know the full extent of your mistreatment of Harry."
Adam Feest QC, prosecuting, told the court that Harry died as a result of a blunt-force impact to the abdomen, probably by punching or kicking, which was of such force that it split the pancreas in two.
He also suffered a skull fracture in the attack.
Miss O'Neill, 22, told the trial how her son went "all floppy" in her arms before he deteriorated rapidly and died as paramedics tried to save his life.
The court heard that in July last year, Eke assaulted Miss O'Neill, including slapping her with a Subway sandwich, after she "took a swipe" at him after he accused her of killing Harry.
Eke, of St Lawrence Road, Upwey, Weymouth, had denied the offences and had told the court: "I didn't kill him, I wouldn't kill him. I wouldn't harm a kid."
Harry's family said in a statement released through Dorset Police: "This past year has been the most horrific time for our family, but we have at least now got justice for our darling Harry, although it is bittersweet that we have lost him forever.
"We are grateful that no other child and their family will have to go through what we have because of the actions of Eke and are at least thankful he is where he should be and for a very long time."
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire said: "Joseph Eke subjected two-and-a-half-year-old Harry House to a violent episode that resulted in his death.
"This was an extremely difficult and challenging investigation and I would like to praise all professionals that were involved.
"Above all, my heartfelt thoughts are with Harry's family. It has been an absolutely terrible time for them and still continues to be so, with the loss of little Harry from their lives.
"I can only hope that today's sentence is of some comfort to them. They continue to be supported by our specially-trained officers."