A baby killer has been snared by police after spending a month on the run from prison.

Murderer Christopher John Brophy, from Brighouse, was given a life sentence in 1984 for killing his then girlfriend's 14-month-old baby.

But he managed to escape from a prison in Suffolk last month and had been at large until he was caught on Teesside yesterday.

Detective Inspector Stuart Swinson headed Operation Achilles and said the capture of Brophy had been a bonus inraids organised as part of a crackdown on drugs.

A spokesman for Cleveland police said Brophy was one of eight people - five men and three women - arrested during the swoops and was found at his girlfriend's house in Stockton, but was not being questioned in connection with any drugs offences.

He had served 14 years of his sentence in Hallesley Bay Prison, Suffolk, when he escaped while on temporary release to attend a hospital appointment.

At the Leeds Crown Court hearing in 1984, the jury heard how a sadistic Brophy had flung David Thompson against a board and burned the sole of his foot with a cigarette.

He had been living with his then partner, and David's mother, Christine Dawson in Brighouse at the time.

Doctors found 36 bruises and marks sprayed all over the baby's body, including two cigarette burns on his feet.

However, Brophy had pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming instead that the defenceless baby had picked up his fatal injuries by falling.

The court heard he had died after being battered repeatedly against a hard object, being shaken with great force and suffering a cracked skull.

Brophy was convicted by the jury of Murder, causing grievous bodily harm and cruelty.