A CRUEL mother attacked her own baby, on one occasion causing a bleed on his brain.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons smashed her son’s head against the floor at a hospital.

She pretended her child was ill in what police say was a “distressing case of Fabricated Induced Illness, also known as Munchausen by proxy”.

The 29-year-old from Bognor was found guilty of four counts of child cruelty, two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and one count of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.

She was jailed for 13 years at Southampton Crown Court.

Detectives from the Complex Abuse Unit led the inquiry, and said the woman had made up a series of health problems her son had suffered from because of being born prematurely.

She drugged and ill-treated him over four years, the court was told.

Detective Constable Chris Smith said the crimes came to light when she was caught on CCTV at Southampton Children's Hospital deliberately mistreating him.

The boy was there to have his health assessed.

DC Smith said: “She can be seen hitting his head against the hard floor on four occasions in a very calm and measured way.

“As a result enquiries began and we were informed. His mother tried to claim he suffered from nosebleeds to cover up the injuries.

“We discovered that she had also fractured his leg and hit or shaken him, causing a bleed on the brain, had made up symptoms causing him to be given medication and oxygen he did not need. She also poisoned him with sugar solution, causing him dangerously high glucose levels, and underfed him.

“The boy is currently in foster care and is doing well, his health problems have virtually disappeared.”