A MAN who was convicted of attempting to murder a nine-month-old baby girl has been jailed for six years.

William Robertson, 21, launched a violent attack on the defenceless baby which left her with a fractured skull and massive bruising to her forehead and ear.

The attempted murder took place at his flat at Jean Armour Drive, Clydebank, on September 9, 2017, while he was caring for the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Jailing Robertson at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Norman Ritchie told him: “You were convicted of endangering the life of a vulnerable, defenceless child. You caused significant injury but, by good fortune, the child has recovered well.”

Judge Ritchie ordered that Robertson should be monitored in the community for two years after his release to protect the public.

Robertson claimed the baby sustained her injuries in a fall from a couch. However, medical experts said her horrific injuries were caused by more than one incident.

In evidence, Robertson insisted he was sleeping and was wakened by the baby falling off the couch.

He denied ever hitting the baby and claimed: “I'm not a monster.”

Robertson also denied he was drunk and angry that night, although he admitted downing a can of Dragon's Soup and some MD 20/20.

He claimed he was prepared to undergo a lie detector test to prove his innocence and said “ I asked for a lie detector test and for a hypnotist. I tried to get on the Jeremy Kyle Show for a lie detector test.”

But the jury did not believe him and found him guilty of attempting to murder the baby by repeatedly striking her on the head and body or by means unknown to the prosecutor.