A bricklayer who violently shook his baby son to death has been found guilty of murder.
Daniel McLaren killed his son Jack at the family home in Fleetwood Close, Newbury, Berkshire, on June 2 2017.
Reading Crown Court heard Jack, aged just four-and-a-half months, was shaken so violently that he suffered severe brain damage over a period of time.
Following McLarens arrest in connection with Jacks death, the internet search why is my babys tongue blue? was found on his phone.
The 30-year-old was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on Monday, with the crime carrying a mandatory life sentence.
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McLaren was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, in relation to injuries suffered by another child.
During his trial, prosecutor Sally Howes said a brain expert concluded that Jack died as a result of bouts of shaking by his father.
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She said: A full forensic examination had shown no evidence of natural disease or congenital abnormality and that the death was due to head injury of the shaking impact type.
An expert found there were two incidents, one at the time of collapse and an older one that occurred some days before Jacks death.
She added: At about 7.30pm on the evening of the June 2 2017, the defendant called the emergency services on his mobile phone.
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He told the operator that his four-and-a-half month old baby son had choked on his bottle and gone all funny. He also said he keeps going stiff and then flopping.
When paramedics arrived, they found Jack in a critical condition – he was unconscious and hardly breathing with a white liquid coming from his nose, Ms Howes said.
Jack was taken to the pediatric intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital where he was put on life support, but his condition was found to be incompatible with life and he died on June 4.
Senior investigating officer detective superintendent Nick John, said: Daniel was a parent to Jack and yet he abused this privileged position to kill his son.
By shaking Jack, he caused him injuries on two occasions which the little boy was ultimately unable to survive.
Following the first incident, the internet searches he made indicated he knew his actions – shaking a baby – would cause him serious harm.
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His actions have deprived Jacks mother, and all those who knew and loved him, of having him in their lives and being able to see him grow up. Our thoughts remain with them.
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