A cruel thug has been convicted of killing an 18-month-old toddler after subjecting him to a year of abuse.

Scott Coombe, of Towncourt Lane, Petts Wood, admitted fatally injuring his girlfriend Tamika Beaton's son Andrew Cawker in July 2019.

The pair began a relationship in 2018 and Coombe, 24, moved into Beaton's flat and began a year of abuse against young Andrew.

After repeatedly assaulting the tot the London Ambulance Service was called on July 9, 2019, after Coombe claimed the toddler had fallen over and suffered a seizure.

Andrew was admitted to hospital and died just under two weeks later on July 23, 2019.

Medical professionals examined the youngster and raised suspicions over how the child was injured.

Coombe was arrested on suspicion of GBH and following Andrew’s death he was further arrested on suspicion of murder.

A post-mortem examination concluded Andrew had died as a result of a head injury but a number of other bruises were found around his face and shoulder.

The pathologist said that given the level of injuries, Coombe's claim he had fallen over was "implausible".

Detectives then examined the phones of Beaton and Coombe and discovered a number of pictures and messages documenting Andrew's injuries over the previous 12 months.

It was revealed in the messages the injuries were caused while the toddler was in the care of Coombe and that Beaton was aware of this.

Despite this, the 25-year-old, of Cole Street, SE1, decided not to take action but allow the abuse to continue and even tried to suggest to Andrew's father that he was the reason her son was injured.

She was found guilty of child cruelty following the conclusion of a trial at the Old Bailey on Monday, October 24.

The pair will be sentenced on Friday, November 18.

Detective Sergeant Quinn Cutler, who led the investigation, said: “This is an utterly heart-breaking case where a defenceless child has sustained prolonged abuse at the hands of those who should have been caring for him, resulting in his death.

“Andrew should have been in the place where he felt safe; at home with his mother and her partner. However, over the course of a year, Andrew suffered regular assaults at the hands of Scott Coombe culminating in the attack on 9 July 2019 which proved to be fatal.

“His mother, Tamika Beaton, clearly suspected Coombe was responsible for these injuries but chose not to intervene or seek help. Indeed, when questioned by police she sought to place the blame on another man.

"While Beaton did not directly inflict injuries on her son, her inaction most certainly played a part in his death.”