A TEENAGER is facing a life sentence after he was convicted of murdering his girlfriend's 11 month old baby.

A TEENAGER is facing a life sentence after he was convicted of murdering his girlfriend's 11 month old baby.

The jury at Norwich Crown Court took just over five hours to convict the 17 year-old, who can not be named for legal reasons.

Baby Ruby Spink was rushed to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston on September 16 last year.

A post-mortem examination showed she was killed by a blow to the head - and she had also suffered broken ribs and fractures to both legs in separate incidents before her death.

About a month earlier the baby, who had been living in a Yarmouth hostel with her mother, had been placed on the at risk register and the court heard how she was transformed from a happy thriving child to a baby who cried every time her mother's boyfriend went near her.

Ruby's 18-year-old mum Laura Spink has already admitted neglect but her 17-year-old boyfriend had denied murder during the month-long trial.

Sentencing was adjourned until August 28 for reports when Spink will also be sentenced.

Judge Peter Jacobs said that although the teenager faced a life sentence he would wait for reports to see what term he would recommend for the youth serve before being considered for release.

Afterwards Detective Inspector Andy Guy said it had been a distressing case to investigate and described the youth as an “immature, selfish young man.”