A man who carried out a series of brutal assaults on his 10-month-old stepson was jailed for at least 28 years.

Craig Crouch, 39, assaulted baby Jacob numerous times in the months leading up to his death.

He was convicted of murder over a final, fatal attack on the child at his home in Linton, Derbyshire, in December 2020.

Jacob had suffered at least 39 fractured ribs, with 22 of these occurring in the week of his death.

He also had significant bruising, including to his cheeks, ear and left thigh and was eventually killed by a blow to his abdomen, which caused a tear to his bowel, and, in turn, peritonitis.

His partner and Jacob's mother Gemma Barton, 33, was cleared of murder and manslaughter but found guilty of causing or allowing the infant's death following a trial at Derby Crown Court.

The court was told the pair had delayed calling for potentially life-saving medical assistance in the hours following the killing.

Crouch, who was also convicted of three counts of child cruelty, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years.

Barton received a total sentence of 10 years - seven-and-a-half for causing or allowing her son's death and a further two-and-a-half for a further count of child cruelty.

The judge, Mr Justice Kerr, told Crouch: "You caused Jacob acute physical and mental suffering.

"You inflicted first bruising, and then fractured ribs, on this little baby. You have not shown any remorse for what you did."

He told Barton: "I am sure you knew Jacob's plight was serious. You failed to take such steps that you reasonably should have been expected to have undertaken.

"The evidence was there to see, but you failed to face up to it."

This video has been edited to comply with reporting restrictions.

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