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A dad who lost his temper and shook his baby son so violently he suffered a brain injury avoided a prison sentence.

Ian Bower grabbed the car seat in which the six-month-old infant was sitting, and shook it “for a few seconds” leaving the baby “floppy, with fixed staring eyes”, prompting him and his partner to rush him to Alder Hey Hospital.

But the 37-year-old from Birkenhead did not reveal what he had done, keeping it a secret for more than three years, before the matter eventually came to court.

Bower’s son, whose name cannot be reported for legal reasons, was given a scan that revealed the child had suffered a bleed on the brain, had a low heart rate and was crying at an unusually high-pitch following the incident in March, 2014.

Surgery to relieve the pressure on the baby’s brain was successful and the baby was discharged from hospital after 19 days. He has since made a full recovery.

The opinion of four separate medical experts concluded he had undoubtedly been shaken with excessive force and suffered a “sudden acute traumatic event.”

A further expert said: “It was highly likely the child’s head had been shaken or hit.”

After maintaining his innocence for more than three years, Bower eventually conceded he’d “lost his temper for a few seconds” and shaken the car seat while the baby was in it.

Bower today appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where he admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

Andrew Ford, prosecuting, said their children were taken by social services following the incident.

Bower’s partner Laura Edwards said in statement. “That is time I will never get back.”

Mr Ford said there is now no relationship between her and Bowers.

She had said in a police statement: “I didn’t want to believe that Ian was responsible - it was a period of intense worry, any parent would understand that.

“I accept all {my} children will grow up without their dad in their lives.”

Mr Ford told the court that Bower had a short criminal record, but significantly, had a charge sheet of offences against past girlfriends - one a case of battery during which an assault occurred involving a kettle and toothbrush holder.

That had followed a period of “intense jealousy” on behalf of Bower, who also came to police’s attention after punching and kicking another girlfriend in a different case.

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Philip Tully, defending Bower, said: “There was no premeditation, this was an isolated incident and over in seconds.

“He has genuine remorse for his actions

“He no longer is in a relationship with his partner and has no contact with any of his children.”

Judge David Aubrey sentenced Bower to two years in jail, but suspended it for two years.

He told him: “A six month old child, your child, your child so vulnerable, so tender, your child so precious, and your child in your care, to be looked after and nurtured, but in March 2014, you lost your temper, your patience, and snapped, shaking the seat on which your child was sitting, with considerable force, albeit for a few seconds.

“The consequences were that your child’s life could have changed forever.

“It was a mother’s worst nightmare, having to take him to hospital..you did not inform medical practitioners what you had done.

“It was a mother’s worst nightmare, then exacerbated by the {involvement} of the social services department.

“You caused all of that and for many months, even years, you would not admit it to your lawyers, to social services or to medical practitioners.”

As well as the suspended sentence Bowers, of Upton Road, must complete 140 hours of unpaid work, within the next 12 months. He must also wear an electronic tag and observe a curfew from 8am until 6pm.