Seven years in prison for father who killed baby

A father has been jailed for seven years for killing his three-month old son at their Cannock home.

Luke Goode died from head injuries which he suffered at the hands of Jonathan Goode on October 22, 2009.

He was rushed to Stafford Hospital two days after an incident at the family home in Lupin Drive, Huntington.

But medics said he was in a serious condition and transferred him to Birmingham Children's Hospital for specialist treatment. They were unable to save the youngster and he died shortly after arriving.

Goode had claimed he accidentally dropped Luke in the bathroom of the house, causing him to bang his head on the floor.

But medical evidence showed that the little boy had suffered a blunt blow to the head and was not consistent with Goode's story.

Detectives launched an investigation but the father consistently denied he had caused his son any harm.

He was charged with murder but found guilty of manslaughter after a four week trial at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.

Det Ch Insp Tim Martin, who led the inquiry, today praised officers for their perseverance.

"Goode concocted a story to cover his tracks after inflicting fatal injuries on Luke," he said.

"Luke was too small to defend himself and was killed by the person who was supposed to protect him."