A BRUTE who snapped his newborn daughter's arm after being told to harm her by a voice in his head was today (Monday, March 4) jailed for six years.

David Bradley claimed he heard his dead uncle urging him to hurt the four-week-old as he was changing her at his partner's home.

Bradley fled from the house in Stockton but later handed himself in to police, telling them: "I'm mental. The voices told me to do it."

Teesside Crown Court heard how the father-of-five went on a two-day drink and drugs bender before giving himself up last October.

The 26-year-old walked into a police station 30 miles away in Newcastle, where he was punching himself in the face and sobbing.

Judge Tony Briggs branded the attack "appalling" and told the once-promising art student he was "a significant danger" to children.

Bradley, of Bale Drive, Thornaby, near Stockton, will be on licence for an extended five-year period after his prison release after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty.

The court heard how the baby's mother had no idea of the injury until Bradley confessed to police, and the girl was then taken to hospital.

Prosecutor Rachel Masters said she has made a full recovery and doctors do believe there will be any long-lasting effects.

Sean Grainger, mitigating, said: "There does not appear to be any premeditation. There appears to be a lack of it.

"He was changing the child and he says he did hear this voice from a deceased uncle to commit the offence, and he went on to do it.

"He was shocked and dismayed at what he had done. He said in interview 'Oh my god, what have I done?"

The court heard how Bradley has been assessed by psychiatrists, who say he does not suffer from a mental illness - but is dangerous.

Judge Briggs said: "I am satisfied you are a high risk to children.

"I am supported in that by your clear inability to control your consumption of alcohol and cocaine, and your professed indication that for some particular time you have felt under instructions to harm or kill others."