Father punched two-day-old daughter to death 'because she would not stop crying’

Liam Deane subjected the baby girl to a horrific attack leaving her with fatal injuries to her brain, body and face.

Liam Deane, 22, has been given a life sentenced for the murder of his newborn daughter at their Wakefield home (West Yorkshire Police)

A two-day-old baby girl was murdered by her father who lost his temper and repeatedly punched her in a horrific attack when she would not stop crying.

Liam Deane, 22, was handed a life sentence after a court heard he left Luna with “catastrophic brain injuries”.

The 22-year-old was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after killing the child at his home in Wakefield.

Baby Luna was just two days old when she was left in the care of her father while her mum went to sleep but Deane lost his temper during the night when the baby continued to cry.

Deane broke down when interviewed by police and admitted he was responsible for the attack.

Michael Smith, prosecuting, said the baby was found to have injuries to her brain, body and face after Deane “lost control”.

Deane admitted punching Luna to the face, squeezing her body and arms and shaking her.

A doctor concluded the baby girl died after suffering head trauma, leaving her with “catastrophic brain injuries”.

She was born on July 9 this year.

The attack happened after her mother Karen Bissett had gone upstairs to sleep, the next day she was told by Dean that Luna had fallen.

An ambulance was called after Deane told to his mother the baby was having difficulty breathing and had fallen and hit her head.

Paramedics noticed the baby’s face was badly swollen and bruised.

Luna was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and died in intensive care on July 14.

Deane pleaded guilty to her murder and the court heard he has no previous convictions.

The Wakefield Express reported Mr Wright read a victim statement to the court on behalf of Luna’s mother.

It said: “Seeing Luna on life support in the hospital will last with me forever.

“I can’t describe how that felt. I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.”

Deane was told he must serve a minimum of ten years in prison.