A MAN was sentenced to eight years in prison today for inflicting injuries on a baby boy which left him permanently brain damaged.
Darran Brown had previously been found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent, grievious bodily harm and cruelty to a child.
He had denied the charges but was convicted by a jury of all three offences and was handed down the sentence at Guildford Crown Court today.
Prosecuting, John Causer said: "Here we have a victim of violence who was extremely vulnerable".
Mitigating, Michael Turner pointed to Mr Brown's previous good character and described his actions against the child as being a "temporary loss of control with drink".
Brown was a resident of Bridge Street in Leatherhead at the time of the assault.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Stewart noted that the child in question "would never be able to lead an independent life".
Following the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable James Chapman, from the East Surrey Public Protection Investigation Unit (PPIU), said: "This was a cruel and violent act on an innocent child who was unable to defend himself against a grown man and although this sentence will never undo the damage caused by this man it will make sure people are protected from him for some time.
"Crimes against our most vulnerable members of society are inexcusable and Surrey Police will do all we can to prosecute those responsible and bring them to justice."
