Prosecutors told how Cherry had tried to persuade Caroline Craft to have the pregnancy terminated and the relationship “disintegrated completely” when she refused.

A witness at the trial recalled him saying ‘it would just be easier if Caroline would miscarry or if I could punch her in the stomach’.

But as he waited for the verdict he told the Daily Echo he had become positive about being a dad and was hoping to see his son.

“I just want to see my little boy because I never have.

“I’ve only ever seen a picture of him when he was six hours old.”

He said the case had been hard for his parents, who live in Lytchett Matravers.

He said: “My mum and dad have never been able to see their first grandchild.”