A YOUNG man who could have blinded a four-week-old baby when he shook him is today in jail awaiting sentence.

The child was rushed to hospital with serious head and other injuries after Clifford Roy Bradshaw looked after him for a short period at the baby’s Selby’s home last autumn.

Doctors called police when they realised his injuries were typical of those caused by being shaken violently and were not typical accident injuries.

Nick Adlington, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that initially doctors had feared the assault could have led to the baby losing his sight, but he had since made a good recovery.

Bradshaw, 20, of Scott Road, Selby, pleaded guilty to causing the baby grievous bodily harm on the basis that he had behaved in a reckless fashion by handling the baby in a heavy handed way. He also admitted assaulting the child’s mother on June 5.

His barrister, Robin Myers, asked for sentence to be adjourned while a probation officer prepared a pre-sentence report on Bradshaw.

Bradshaw was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on July 4.

Bradshaw was looking after the baby for a short period while the child’s mother was away from the house when the injuries occurred.

He called for help from passers-by and the baby was rushed by ambulance to York Hospital where he was seen by several consultants and doctors.

He had injuries to his head, face, neck, shoulders, chest and back.