A BABY killer snarled a threat to the distraught mother of his victim as he was led away to begin a life sentence behind bars.

Jake Baxter suffered 27 injuries as he was shaken to death and bitten on the face by his mother's partner, 30-year-old Richard Baxter.

Yesterday, the boy's killer was found guilty of murder, at Teesside Crown Court.

As Baxter, who has fathered 11 children with six different women, was led from the dock he shouted at his former partner, Paula Moore: "I'll see you later, Paula".

The 21-year-old mother sobbed as a guilty verdict was returned at the end of the week-long trial where Baxter had denied murder, but admitted manslaughter.

The 14-month-old baby died from brain damage 16 hours after Baxter attacked him at his home, in Middlesbrough last August.

Baxter, of Hodges House, Central Mews, Middlesbrough, told the court that he had lost control when Jake would not stop screaming.

He said that the baby bit his finger, so he bit him back to teach him a lesson.

Baxter told the jury that he loved Jake and missed him. He tried to blame Miss Moore - who he had persuaded to take his surname for the boy - for some of the injuries, accusing her of dropping Jake as they returned from a drink and drugs party at a neighbour's house.

Judge Peter Fox, QC, told Baxter that he would recommend to the Home Secretary the amount of time he would serve before he was considered for release on parole.

Aidan Marron, QC, defending, said: "There was no intention to kill here.

"There is clear evidence that he loved his child and all we can submit is that this has been a tragedy for all involved."

After the trial, Jake's mother, who had known Baxter for only six months, said: "I am delighted that the jury convicted that evil man who robbed me of my baby."

Detective Inspector Shane Sellers, of Cleveland Police, said: "In my view it was a murder, because the child himself had sustained 27 separate injuries, two of which were bite marks to the face.

"At least six of those injuries contributed to the child's death.