THE grandmother of a four-month-old baby left brain damaged after being shaken by his father has spoken out against the man's appeal to have his sentence reduced.

The woman, from Wombwell who cannot be named for legal reasons, said Michael Mills's appeal to have his four year sentence reduced was 'devastating'.

Mills, 24, was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm to the child, who has been left blind with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and severe learning difficulties. 

She added: "He will never be like a normal child, all with the effects of what (Mills) has done, so why should he have a lower sentence?"

** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle dated August 14. **