A Coventry man who killed his girlfriend's 10-month-old baby by fracturing his skull has been jailed for six years.
Ryan Ledger, 20, was told by Mrs Justice Macur that he had shown "arrogance beyond belief" in trying to shift the blame for the death of Cameron Wootton onto others.
A jury at Birmingham Crown Court took five hours to clear Ledger of murdering Cameron but convict him of the child's manslaughter.
The defendant, of Wigston Road, Walsgrave, was arrested in May last year after causing Cameron severe injuries at the girlfriend's house.
Medical experts told Ledger's week-long trial Cameron died in hospital two days after suffering an eight-inch-long skull fracture at his home in Navigation Way, Coventry.
Passing sentencing, Mrs Justice Macur said Cameron was a much-loved child who was well cared for by his parents and extended family.
The judge told Ledger: "It's quite clear that Cameron was a delight to all of his family and to all of those who came into contact with his family.
"He brought them much joy and at his age he could have expected to be protected."
Ledger was immature and feckless and was ill-suited to take on a parental role, the judge added. It is not known exactly how Ledger killed Cameron, but it is thought the baby's "significant and severe" injuries were caused when his his skull struck a hard surface.
