A SOUTHAMPTON man was today jailed for 15 months for shaking his baby son to death.

Richard Skinner, 34, lost control when his 11-week-old son Johnathon would not stop crying, Winchester Crown Court heard today.

Skinner, a computer aided designer, of Kenson Gardens, Sholing, admitted manslaughter last August.

He had immediately called 999 confessing his actions and straight away expressed regret and remorse, said Louise Gray, prosecuting.

She told the court the baby had been rushed to Southampton General Hospital on August 6 and underwent an operation to remove a blood clot.

The court heard Skinner had been alone with the child at home while his wife was out.

Miss Gray added that the baby's condition did not improve and "Johnathon passed away on the ward in the early hours of August 21 lying in his father's lap."

Anthony Davies QC, mitigating, said: "This baby, having been grisly for a few days, started to cry piercingly and nothing the defendant could do could alleviate that.

"Against that background, and in those seconds, he shook the child and realising straight away what he had done he telephoned the emergency services.

"The father has expressed remorse.

"It is not remorse that has arisen as the court case presents itself, it is remorse that has always been there.

"It is quite clear the distress and turmoil the defendant was suffering.

"He tried to commit suicide in January."

Mr Davies said that Skinner's wife was standing by him as were both sets of grandparents.

Sentencing, the judge, Mr Justice Irwin, said: "It's important to say whatever the mitigation about the event and you, that you have caused a death.

"The court must recognise that stark fact."