A FATHER who killed his five-month-old son with a flurry of heavy blows to the head, was yesterday convicted of manslaughter.

Trevor McDonald, 25, of Whitley Bay, tried to frame a group of youths for the attack, after Connor McDonald was found with serious brain injuries on the platform of a Metro train station.

He denied murder and his admission of manslaughter was accepted by Judge Mrs Justice Steel, after she was told the Crown was confident a jury would give him the benefit of the doubt as to whether he intended to murder the child.

The baby's mother, Caroline Wood, 27, was in Newcastle Crown Court to hear McDonald admit to the killing.

Ms Wood, who suffers from spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, said in a statement: "I can never forgive him for what he's done. I have no feelings for him any more.

"But I can't hate him completely, because he gave me Connor."

Police were called to Manors Metro station on Sunday, April 9, last year, where Connor had suffered severe head injuries.

Initially, McDonald told police that a group of youths had attacked his son.

Three youths were arrested, but were eliminated from inquiries after closed-circuit television footage helped police identify key witnesses.

Prosecutor John Milford QC told the court: "He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis that he cannot remember what had occurred.

"He accepts that the child must have died as result of the unlawful attack, but that he never intended the child any serious harm."

Mr Milford said Connor's "commendably unvindictive" mother had described McDonald as a caring father, who she had never once seen to lose his temper with the baby.

Detective Chief Inspector John Lingwood said after the hearing: "The inquiry has been particularly stressful for officers, but has been an horrific situation for Caroline and her family to deal with.

"Caroline and her family have won the admiration of officers by their courage."

The case was adjourned untilMarch 9 for psychiatric reports