A young mum who killed a baby in her care was not allowed to be alone with children after threatening to throw her own son out a window, a court heard.

Shannon Driver, 27, was found guilty of manslaughter after she violently shook 18-month-old Jaxon Syrett to death.

A jury at Lewes Crown Court convicted her after hearing the baby had injuries consistent with being gripped tightly around the chest while being shaken, swung and being thrown or slammed down on a hard surface.

The toddler died in hospital on September 24, 2020, after six days on life support.

Driver, from Bexhill in East Sussex, tried to claim that the 18-month-old had slipped and hit his head in the shower.

Jaxon Syrett (pictured) was violently shaken by Shannon Driver and died after six days on life support

Lewes Crown Court (pictured) heard Driver was not allowed to be alone with children after threatening to throw her own son out of a window

She was looking after him while his dad, Kieran Irvin, was at work despite only being allowed supervised visits with her own son.

Driver was in a relationship with Jaxon's dad and was living with him and his family in Bexhill.

She was not Jaxon's mother.

Lewes Crown Court in Hove heard a family court ruling meant Driver was only allowed supervised contact with her own son and was not allowed to be left alone with other children.

On the afternoon of September 18, 2020, emergency services were called to a property in London Road, Bexhill to a report of a seriously injured child.

Driver claimed Jaxon slipped and his head in the shower when she turned her back to grab a towel. When paramedics arrived they noticed the child was dry and wearing a clean nappy.

Post mortem exams found Jaxon suffered significant non-accidental injuries suggesting inflicted trauma.

Jaxon's mum, Chloe Syrett, described him as a happy, healthy, normal baby, telling the court that she had insisted Driver never be left alone with her son.

She said: 'I knew she had a child that didn't live with her. I put it down to mental health because I knew she had mental health problems.

'I was concerned because she had lost her own child. I said I wanted her to know her place and not act like she was his mum.'

Chloe said she told Ms Driver to leave after she spoke to her at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings before Jaxon was moved to London for brain surgery.

In a statement, the toddler's family said: 'The tragic loss of Jaxon has changed our lives forever.

We will never see Jaxon's cheeky smile again, nor hear his infectious laugh and will miss every milestone Jaxon had to reach.

'Jaxon had his whole life ahead of him. We as a family hold and cherish every memory we have of Jaxo.

'We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with this investigation, and in getting a conviction and some kind of justice for our baby.

'The support we've been given in such devastating circumstances has been so appreciated.'

Sussex Police investigator Dick Hemmings said: 'This was an investigation into the most tragic of circumstances.

'No family should have to go through what Jaxon's have experienced, and I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences for their devastating loss.

'They have shown incredible strength and determination to support this investigation, which faced multiple delays during the court process.

'No judicial outcome can make up for this tragedy, but with this conviction we can look ahead to sentencing and the conclusion of this process.'

Driver will be sentenced in March.