A fitness instructor has been jailed for a minimum of 18 years for murdering his daughter by violently shaking her and striking her head just two weeks after adopting her.

Matthew Scully-Hicks, 31, described 18-month-old Elsie as "a psycho", "the exorcist" and "Satan dressed up in a babygrow" in text messages.

Cardiff Crown Court heard he struggled to cope with being the primary carer for Elsie as his husband, Craig Scully-Hicks, 36, worked full-time.

Neighbours heard the former lifeguard shouting "shut the f---" up at Elsie and calling her a "little f------ brat".

Scully-Hicks, who denied murder, gasped and wept as jurors unanimously convicted him on their fourth day of deliberations. He received a life sentence on Tuesday afternoon.