A BABY who lost consciousness had been given alcohol by one or both of his parents, a judge has concluded after a family court investigation.

The boy from East Sussex, whose 31-year-old mother had worked in a children’s nursery, was admitted to hospital with vomiting when about three months old in March 2016, Mr Justice MacDonald heard.

He had then suffered “unexplained episodes” of unusual limb movements and unconsciousness.

Tests revealed “extremely high” levels of alcohol plus an antihistamine drug in his system.

After analysing evidence at a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, Mr Justice MacDonald decided that one or both of the baby’s parents gave the baby alcohol and antihistamine.

The judge said he could not be sure how or why.

The identity of the family and their address have been withheld for legal reasons.

Evidence showed that the boy’s 26-year-old father had suggested giving the baby whisky if he would not settle. There was also evidence the boy’s father had threatened to kill his partner and the baby if she left him.

The judge said social services bosses at East Sussex County Council had welfare responsibilities for the little boy and asked for answers about how alcohol and antihistamine got into his system.

The boy’s parents had denied giving their son alcohol and antihistamine. His mother said hand sanitiser containing alcohol had got into his system. She said she applied it 30 or 40 times a day at hospital. But Mr Justice MacDonald said he was satisfied that sanitiser was not to blame.