Thug who inflicted 19 fractures on baby in two-week campaign of abuse is jailed for 13 years

Stephen Gosling has been jailed for 13 years for inflicting a series of sickening injuries on a baby

A man who inflicted a series of agonising injuries on a baby in a 'ghastly and terrifying' campaign of abuse has been jailed for 13 years.

Stephen Gosling inflicted the horrific injuries over a two-week period by yanking at the youngster's legs and squeezing the child so hard he broke its ribs.

When the mother took her child to hospital, the full extent of the abuse came to light.

The baby had fractures all over its body, including 12 to the front and back of several ribs, the right shoulder bone, left leg, right leg and left foot.

In all the child suffered 19 fractures.

Experts said the appalling injuries would have required substantial force to inflict and were of different ages, meaning they were not all inflicted at the same time.

Gosling had pleaded not guilty to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted by a jury.

Speaking after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court the child's mother branded him 'an animal'.

She said: 'My baby was only weeks old when he did this and it is disgraceful.