A FATHER, jealous of his baby son, pressed his face against the bars of a burning gas fire before he beat him to death, a court heard.

Jurors were shown pictures of the terrible injuries inflicted on baby Aaron O'Neil, who lived just 92 days.

But in that time, his father, Paul O'Neil, 33, subjected him to a catalogue of beatings and abuse, it is alleged.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday that Aaron had been burned with a cigarette, scalded with hot water and had numerous bones broken.

It is claimed O'Neil resented the boy because of the amount of time the boy's mother, Jody Taylor, 19, spent with him.

The court heard how the abuse was revealed after Aaron was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital last February 11, when O'Neil claimed he had choked on his bottle. The baby died in hospital that night.

As well as burns to his face and hand, examinations revealed three skull fractures, a fractured left shoulder, three fractured ribs, nine healing fractures to his ribs and both his calf bones had been fractured.

The youngster was also covered in bruises, burns, abrasions, had an injury to the inside of his mouth, consistent with him being slapped, and a scalded neck.

The final assault on him caused damage and swelling to his brain which resulted in his heart stopping.

Paul Worsley QC, prosecuting, told the court O'Neil claimed the baby ended up burnt when he fell asleep with him on a chair in front of the fire about a week before the baby died.

But he said; "The baby's face and hand have been forcibly applied to a hot, flat surface, or such surface has been applied to it.

Mr Worsley said the injuries to Aaron would have been "excruciatingly painful".

The court heard how O'Neil and girlfriend Jody Taylor lived together in a flat at Banbury Road, Newcastle.

Taylor has admitted child cruelty in that she failed to secure medical attention for her son.

O'Neil denies murder and two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He has admitted a charge of child cruelty.

The trial continues.