Professionals caring for a four-year-old boy were all "crap", according to the man adopting him, a court heard.

Simon McWilliam told social worker John Barrow he was unhappy with everyone employed to support the adoption, including the boy's social worker, David Pamely.

Mr Barrow said McWilliam was also unhappy with him: "I remember Mr McWilliam called us all crap - Mr Pamely, social services and other support people, a play visitor and health visitor."

He said McWilliam reported feeling disempowered by the professionals and wanted more control for him and his wife Michelle as parents.

The McWilliams, of Gardner Road, Fishersgate, Southwick, deny cruelty to the child, John Smith.

The court heard the boy died from a brain haemorrhage. His body had 54 injuries and four adult bite marks.

Lewes Crown Court was told social workers visited the McWilliams' house during the six months they cared for the boy and found him with numerous bruises and grazes.

Mr Barrow, a social worker for 15 years, fought back the tears as he described one visit when he found the boy with severe facial bruises.

The McWilliams told him the boy had fallen down stairs on to a radiator.

Mr Barrow said four months earlier McWilliams reported how John was vomiting and throwing himself round the house and how he was worried about the boy's bruises.

Mr Barrow said the McWilliams told him the boy was upset by visits from his former foster parents and his maternal grandfather. McWilliam also complained of feeling "scrutinised" when Mr Pamely visited.

On one occasion, McWilliam said he was demoralised. John had been feining sickness and had rejected the couple's care.

Mr Barrow said McWilliam attended an assessment meeting and appeared stressed and antagonistic.

McWilliam, he said, admitted he did not get pleasure from John although he did like the boy.

McWilliam was fearful of the same relationship that built between his own stepfather and brother, where there was a "lack of love and reciprocation".

Just weeks before the boy's death, Mr Barrow was told how John had attacked Michelle McWilliam, splitting her lip and bruising her arm.

The trial continues.