A HEROIN addict who left a baby severely brain damaged after violently shaking him is behind bars for four years.

James Bennett's tiny victim was heard to let out a "haunting scream" and was found limp and lifeless by paramedics after the defendant lost control last November, a court heard.

Bennett, 38, of The Martindales, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, was an ex-convict who also had a drink problem and a criminal record to go with his drug habit.

He was said to have been frustrated because he was not getting sex.

At first he did not accept injuring the baby and told police the infant must have banged his head on his cot, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Bennett admitted child cruelty. He was also banned from working with children for life.

Sentencing, Judge John Foster QC told the defendant he accepted he did not intend to cause the baby serious injury but medical evidence showed he shook the child with substantial force and he must have realised that was no way to treat a child.

The judge went on: "The public and those with responsibility for children must know that the courts take these offences seriously."

Louise Whaites, prosecuting, said when an ambulance crew arrived, the victim had blue lips and a rash on his neck and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

The infant also had bruises on his neck, a torn lip and a finger print mark on his chest.

A scan showed two areas of brain bleeding and the tot had haemorrhage to both eyes. The child was later transferred from a high dependency unit to Alder Hey Children's Hospital at Liverpool, after a further scan revealed brain damage.

Miss Whaites told the court he was put in intensive care, ventilated and sedated and continued to have fits.

The infant was transferred back to the Royal Preston 11 days after the incident.

The prosecutor said a blood sample taken from Bennett after the child was taken to hospital showed medication but no alcohol. He was arrested and denied causing any injury.

Miss Whaites said the mother's life had been wrecked by what Bennett had done to her son.

She went on: "He is able to smile at her but when she looks into his eyes she gets the feeling there is nothing there."

Dennis Watson, defending, said Bennett's "fateful step" in shaking the baby had been unplanned and thoughtless but had had grave consequences.

He added: "He is truly remorseful for what he did."