THE parents of a baby murdered by his mother's former lover have spoken of their torment as the killer began a life sentence.

Paul McInnes, of Poplar Road, Strood, has been jailed after being found guilty of murdering two-month-old Lewis Holl.

Inner London Crown Court had been told that the baby's massive head injuries were consistent with being shaken violently and swung against a hard surface. Judge Jonathan van der Werff told 26-year-old McInnes: "This was an appalling thing to do to a two-month-old baby."

Lewis's parents, Amanda Sherwood and Lee Holl, spoke after the verdict about the pain they have been through in the nine months since their son died. "I still can't come to terms with what happened," said Miss Sherwood, who is pregnant with her fourth child.

"And my family can't accept that a person they knew and trusted did damage to one of their family members."

The couple said one of the worst things is not knowing exactly what happened to Lewis or why. Mr Holl explained: "Paul was a good father and role model to his own two children. Because we don't know the motive behind it, the sentence will never be long enough and it will never bring Lewis back."

McInnes had denied murdering Lewis but was convicted by the jury by a 10-2 majority verdict.

The court had been told during the trial that McInnes had two children by Miss Sherwood. He lived with her, Mr Holl and the three children from the relationships.

Judge van der Werff told McInnes: "You were looking after that baby that evening. You were experienced in looking after children, but for some reason you must have lost your temper with the child and the medical evidence makes this clear.

"You picked him up and flung him against the wall at least twice, or possibly three times. You caused substantial fractures from which he died."