A "VULNERABLE" baby was left with 29 fractures at the hands of a violent thug.

The four-week-old infant suffered serious injuries to their head, ribs and legs in a case described as "truly horrific".

Portsmouth Crown Court heard how the baby was rushed to hospital on March 13, 2019, where doctors discovered the child had fractured ribs.

Daily Echo: McCauley SilverthorneMcCauley Silverthorne (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Further medical examinations revealed that the infant had 29 fractures throughout their body.

Four fractures were found in the legs and the remainder of the ribs.

There were also serious head injuries.

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Experts deemed these to be non-accidental injuries, and following a lengthy police investigation, 25-year-old McCauley Silverthorne was charged on June 15, 2021.

He was convicted of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm on March 29, following a trial.

Today, Silverthorne, of Trafalgar Road in Newport, was jailed for five and a half years.

The Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Liam Davies, said: "This was a truly horrific case involving a very young and vulnerable baby. The catalogue of serious and shocking injuries inflicted, including those to the child’s head have led to a long term risk to their health.

"This case has taken significant time and resources but shows our commitment to relentlessly pursuing criminals who inflict harm on vulnerable victims.

"I would also like to highlight Detective Sergeant Dan Hayward as the Investigating Officer. It is only through his dedication and tenacity, alongside support from colleagues that we have been able to bring Silverthorne to justice for this awful crime."