A FATHER who “lost his rag” when his four-month-old baby daughter would not stop crying shook her so hard she was left with bleeding on the brain.

Mark Curley wept in court as the judge was told about the injuries the child sustained.

The baby, who was taken to hospital after her mother noticed her cries were different to normal, was left with bleeding on her brain and in both of her eyes. 

Southampton Crown Court heard that Curley, 47, had been left at home with the baby while his partner took their other daughter to nursery.

Prosecuting, Timothy Compton said when the baby’s mother returned Curley left for work. 

Just before midday she received a text from the defendant saying there had been an accident in which the baby may have suffered concussion and she should keep an eye on her.

Curley’s partner said her daughter sounded different – she seemed to be whimpering. 

She called her partner who told her to ring paramedics who took the baby to hospital where she was placed in an incubator to ensure she could breathe properly.

Mr Compton said the defendant, of Clayhall Road, in Gosport, initially claimed he tripped while carrying the baby upstairs but later admitted this was a lie. 

He added that the defendant had been under a lot of stress and the baby was crying relentlessly and uncontrollably.

The defendant, who had enjoyed a successful Royal Naval career, said the baby just wanted her mother.

Mr Compton said Curley had claimed he was “sensitive to noise” and could feel anger building up inside of him and was unable to stay calm.

Mr Compton said Curley “lost his rag” and claimed to have hit the child with a pillow, using the same force he would use in a pillow fight with someone his own size.

However, doctors said the baby’s injuries were not consistent with being hit by a pillow but were caused by being shaken. Curley later admitted to shaking the child.

The court heard the infant has made a good recovery following the incident on November 5, 2015 and has suffered no lasting damage.

Mitigating, Ms Anne Brown said it was an isolated incident and that Curley, who was of a previous good character, was very remorseful. 

She added that his partner was in court to support him.

Judge Peter Ralls said: “You are a hard working man with a good relationship with your partner.

“You were struggling with long hours, you were tired and acted in an inappropriate way towards your child.

“No doubt you regret what happened... Thank God no lasting harm was done.

“The court is always careful when approaching these cases. There are people that are wicked, that hurt and injure vulnerable children. In these cases people have little sympathy from the court. But, I am satisfied you are not a bad man.”

He added if he sent Curley to prison his family would suffer and would lose his income but added that the court must show justice was being done.

Judge Ralls sentenced Curley to 12 months in prison suspended for two years for one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He also ordered him to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities.