A FATHER-of-three who passers-by feared was beating a baby in a pram with a branch was today starting a six month jail term for child cruelty.

Adrian Mulrooney, 28, who appeared to be repeatedly hitting the buggy with the stick rammed the filthy pushchair into the kerb and was heard to say: "Oh my God, what have I done?"

Mulrooney, who had had a cocktail of drugs, was so inebriated, he was totally incapable of looking after the infant -- his seven-month-old son Marshall, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The tot was found in the pram in a "cosy toes" bag, which appeared to be sealed and had been dragged along the ground.

A cut-throat razor and hunting knife were discovered in the pushchair and Marshall was surrounded by stones Mulrooney had bought for his snake tank, clothing and magazines.

The infant was dirty and crying. A paediatrician later found his skin to be dry and his feet and legs were red, consistent with exposure to the cold.

Marshall had a mark which the doctor thought looked like it had been caused by being hit with a hard object on the back of the head.

Mulrooney was told by a judge the case was "very very sad" and that he had effectively been a drink driver in charge of a pram.

Recorder David Eccles said he accepted Mulrooney had not deliberately intended to hurt the child, but he was hurt because of the state the defendant was in and his injuries could have been much worse.

The judge went on: "Those who are responsible for children have to accept their responsibilities."

The defendant, of Swallow Park, Barclay Hills, Burnley, had earlier admitted child cruelty, on February 14. Peter Buckley, prosecuting, said two women at a bus stop in Burnley saw Mulrooney being rough with the pram. He picked up a large branch-like stick and appeared to be repeatedly hitting it.

The defendant, who according to witnesses looked "pyscho", had red eyes and seemed drunk. He was seen ramming the kerb and a number of people went over to the pushchair.

The sobbing tot was removed from the buggy and Mulrooney was heard to say "Sorry, Marshall."

Mulrooney was arrested and said he had not had his medication. When interviewed he denied hitting his son with the stick and said he had no reason to be angry with the tot.

Mr Buckley said the defendant told officers the stick was for his snakes and he had tried to break it on the side of the pram.

When Mulrooney's blood was analysed it revealed he had taken methadone, cannabis and diazepan. He told police he had earlier had 41 valium tablets.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Mulrooney loved his children, the health visitor had been calling and there had been no intervention by social services before the offence.

The defendant believed his children were better off with foster carers than with he and his girlfriend and he admitted they were struggling to look after them.

The youngsters were not being ill treated but the house was a mess and conditions were not hygienic. Mr Baldwin said Mulrooney had used drugs for a long time but did not appreciate the effect the cocktail of substances would have on him.

The barrister told the court: "He was drugged up to the eyeballs and totally incapable of having care of a child." Mr Baldwin said Mulrooney was trying to break the branch but would never hit his son.