Man jailed for sexually assaulting baby may never be freed

Warning: This article contains details that some may find distressing

A 34-year-old man who sexually assaulted a baby has been jailed for life.

Christopher Phillips, from Pembrokeshire, was convicted of two counts of sexual assault by penetration, assault causing actual bodily harm and two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a three-week trial.

At Swansea Crown Court the judge said Phillips' crimes "plumbed the depths of sexual depravity" and was the most distressing he had dealt with in 40 years.

The court heard Phillips met the child's mother on dating app Tinder in 2020 and met the baby when only a month old.

It was told Phillips was acting under the influence of various substances.

Reading a victim's statement to the court the baby's grandmother said: "It brought absolute horror and devastation to the family."

Sentencing Phillips, Judge Paul Thomas KC, said: "[This] was the most distressing case of my 40 year career."

Phillips must serve a minimum of 16 years and 25 days, but the judge warned he may spend the rest of his life in prison calling him "a danger to children".

Clarification 17 January: This article has been updated to clarify the fact that Phillips was jailed for sexual assault not rape as originally reported