A manipulative thug who crushed three-year-old Alfie Lamb to death because he wouldn't stop crying has been released early from prison, KentOnline can exclusively reveal.

Wicked Stephen Waterson was handed a seven-and-a-half year sentence in November 2019 for slamming his front passenger car seat into the toddler as he sat at his mother's feet in the footwell behind.

When Alfie cried out 'mummy' to Adrian Hoare, she ordered him to shut up.

Alfie, who was born at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, died at St Thomas' Hospital in South London on February 4, 2018 - three days after suffering catastrophic brain damage as a result of the sickening incident.

Hairdresser Hoare, who has lived in both Gravesend and Chatham, was convicted of child cruelty when aged just 24 and jailed in May 2019, but she was freed in advance of her prison sentence of two years and nine months.

However, she was recalled to prison in May last year after breaching her licence conditions, but not before she gave an interview to a national newspaper in which she insisted she was a good mum.

It comes as child abuser Jody Simpson, who was responsible for leaving then six-week-old Tony Hudgell with life-threatening injuries, applies for day release having served less than four years of a 10-year sentence.

Waterson, who was described by police as 'arrogant, selfish and deeply unpleasant', was not due for release until 2023 and is on licence until 2025.

He was jailed at the Old Bailey in November 2019 for manslaughter, perverting the course of justice by lying to police, and intimidating witnesses.

The-then 26-year-old, who repeatedly lied to police in an attempt to avoid prosecution, had denied manslaughter during an earlier trial in which the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence on the first day of his retrial.

During sentencing, Old Bailey judge Mr Justice Timothy Kerr told Waterson he was "manipulative, dishonest, deceitful, controlling, threatening, and sometimes violent".

Hoare, a former Northfleet School for Girls pupil, was cleared of manslaughter.

A source close to the family said they only had notification of Waterson's release after he'd been freed.

The Ministry of Justice has been asked to comment.