A violent stepfather who shook his baby stepson to death was yesterday jailed for six and a half years.
Tyrone Matthews, 25, caused 16-month-old Kyle Keen, severe brain haemorrhaging by shaking him during "rough and tumble" playing in June 2006.
Matthews pleaded guilty to manslaughter while little Kyle's mum Kerry McIntosh, 21, admitted child cruelty by neglect and was given a 6-month suspended jail term.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Matthews had a history of cruel treatment with Kyle and "played roughly" by "flipping him over and throwing him around" on several occasions.
The court was also told how Matthews, from Walsall, West Mids, caused bruising to his step son by sucking his legs and face when playing with him and had been warned about his treatment of children.
When Kyle suffered a fit on June 29th 2006, paramedics rushed to revive his "limp, floppy and unresponsive" body but after finding the infant had suffered severe brain injuries, he was taken off a life support machine at North Staffordshire Hospital, Stoke-On-trent, the next day.
Mr Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, said: "Doctors said Kyle suffered fatal injuries as a result of being severely shaken - the consequence of severe shaking was to cause bleeding of the membranes that cover the brain being starved of oxygen so that they could not function correctly.
"Doctors said these features do not follow 'rough play' - Mr Matthews admitted causing bruising to Kyle by sucking his legs and face when playing with him.
"These events took place despite Mr Matthews being warned about his rough treatment of the child.
"There is a significant history of violence towards this child.
"Mr Matthews admitted severe shaking of Kyle going way beyond anything that could be considered rough handling.
"Kerry McIntosh failed to protect Kyle - she placed her relationship with Mr Matthews above her duty to protect her child.
"Ultimately the child met his death at the hands of Tyrone Matthews."
Neighbours also reported hearing a man's voice yelling to drown out the child's screams.
Passing sentence Judge Mr Justice Gibbs, said: "There is a heavy responsibility on those who care for children.
"There is a responsibility not to assault them or to handle them in a rough way.
"Tyrone Matthews did assault a child on several occasions and did not control himself in dealing with Kyle.
"Kerry McIntosh knew that what was happening was wrong and did a certain amount to stop - but not enough.
"Tyrone Matthews behaviour was repeated and sever shaking took place on two occasions and blows to the face and body of this child on other occasions.
"The conduct continued despite Kerry McIntosh expressing concern at what was happening.
The court were told how neighbours heard rattling screams as if the child was being shaken at McIntosh's Walsall home.
Robert Keen, 25, the child's biological father, said: "Since my sons death I have found it extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened.
"I understand his death will remain with me for the rest of my life and I wish there was something I could do to bring him back and make us a proper family.
"He was a fabulous little boy and was always happy with a cheeky little grin.
"The realisation that I will never see him grow up is sometimes too much to bear and I am angry that someone else is responsible for his death.
"I have been cheated and robbed of his life but we are satisfied that the person responsible for his death has been bought to justice.
"We are glad that this is finally over and that we can lay Kyle to rest."
Tyrone Matthews, 25, caused 16-month-old Kyle Keen, severe brain haemorrhaging by shaking him during "rough and tumble" playing in June 2006.
Matthews pleaded guilty to manslaughter while little Kyle's mum Kerry McIntosh, 21, admitted child cruelty by neglect and was given a 6-month suspended jail term.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Matthews had a history of cruel treatment with Kyle and "played roughly" by "flipping him over and throwing him around" on several occasions.
The court was also told how Matthews, from Walsall, West Mids, caused bruising to his step son by sucking his legs and face when playing with him and had been warned about his treatment of children.
When Kyle suffered a fit on June 29th 2006, paramedics rushed to revive his "limp, floppy and unresponsive" body but after finding the infant had suffered severe brain injuries, he was taken off a life support machine at North Staffordshire Hospital, Stoke-On-trent, the next day.
Mr Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, said: "Doctors said Kyle suffered fatal injuries as a result of being severely shaken - the consequence of severe shaking was to cause bleeding of the membranes that cover the brain being starved of oxygen so that they could not function correctly.
"Doctors said these features do not follow 'rough play' - Mr Matthews admitted causing bruising to Kyle by sucking his legs and face when playing with him.
"These events took place despite Mr Matthews being warned about his rough treatment of the child.
"There is a significant history of violence towards this child.
"Mr Matthews admitted severe shaking of Kyle going way beyond anything that could be considered rough handling.
"Kerry McIntosh failed to protect Kyle - she placed her relationship with Mr Matthews above her duty to protect her child.
"Ultimately the child met his death at the hands of Tyrone Matthews."
Neighbours also reported hearing a man's voice yelling to drown out the child's screams.
Passing sentence Judge Mr Justice Gibbs, said: "There is a heavy responsibility on those who care for children.
"There is a responsibility not to assault them or to handle them in a rough way.
"Tyrone Matthews did assault a child on several occasions and did not control himself in dealing with Kyle.
"Kerry McIntosh knew that what was happening was wrong and did a certain amount to stop - but not enough.
"Tyrone Matthews behaviour was repeated and sever shaking took place on two occasions and blows to the face and body of this child on other occasions.
"The conduct continued despite Kerry McIntosh expressing concern at what was happening.
The court were told how neighbours heard rattling screams as if the child was being shaken at McIntosh's Walsall home.
Robert Keen, 25, the child's biological father, said: "Since my sons death I have found it extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened.
"I understand his death will remain with me for the rest of my life and I wish there was something I could do to bring him back and make us a proper family.
"He was a fabulous little boy and was always happy with a cheeky little grin.
"The realisation that I will never see him grow up is sometimes too much to bear and I am angry that someone else is responsible for his death.
"I have been cheated and robbed of his life but we are satisfied that the person responsible for his death has been bought to justice.
"We are glad that this is finally over and that we can lay Kyle to rest."
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