Mother kicked and punched her toddler son to death

Collette Harris, 30, was ordered to serve at least 16 years for murdering 21-month-old Bobby Louch.

The youngster suffered at least 40 injuries and bruises, including "catastrophic" brain damage and a blow to his abdomen which had damaged vital organs, after Harris battered him at the family home in Bexleyheath, south-east London, in December 2008.

Most of the injuries had happened over the weekend preceding his death but some of his ribs had been fractured at least two weeks before.

Bobby had been treated for a broken leg three weeks before his death and kept in for a scan when bruises were seen on his forehead.

Harris complained she was being "victimised" and said the bruises were the result of Bobby banging his head on his cot.

A consultant at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, who had seen Bobby before, sent him home the next day after checks were made.

Harris, of Dartford, Kent, had denied killing Bobby or causing his injuries, but was found guilty of murder.

She screamed "Oh my God" and collapsed in tears. She was led from the dock shouting: "I didn't do it."

She had tried to blame her new boyfriend, James Phillips, who denied killing Bobby or causing the injuries.

Drug taker Phillips, 25, of Erith, Kent, was found not guilty of murder and alternate charges of manslaughter and causing or allowing the death.

The day before his death, Bobby was vomiting and looking disorientated. He had a burn mark on his right hand which could have been made by it being placed on an oven door.

But Harris refused to take him to hospital, telling a friend she would be suspected of abusing him, the court heard.

In the early hours a neighbour said he heard a voice whimpering and murmuring "mummy". Later, Harris rang for an ambulance, saying: "My baby won't wake up."

Richard Whittam, QC, prosecuting, said: "At the time of his death, Bobby Louch was covered in bruises. There is compelling evidence that the multiple injuries were the result of deliberate and repeated violence.

"The likely cause of the injuries to the abdomen is a punch or kick to the stomach area."

Harris ended her relationship with Dan Louch, Bobby's father, in October 2008, and immediately took up with Phillips.

Recorder of London Judge Peter Beaumont told Harris: "This is a terrible thing you did for reasons which are quite incomprehensible."

Bobby's tearful father said later: "Bobby was our little angel and had his whole life to look forward to, but was so cruelly denied this for reasons we still can't fully comprehend."