A BOY accused of murdering a toddler he was babysitting has admitted he inflicted the injuries that killed her.

Manchester Crown Court was told that when the 15-year-old boy was later in secure residential care he said to a member of staff : "I'm not proud of what I've done and everyone will think I'm a monster.

"But no one can ever punish me as much as I punish myself."

The boy denies murder but in court it was said he admits he inflicted the injuries on Demi Leigh Mahon, which caused her brain damage.

Howard Bentham, prosecuting, said: "He accepts that the severe brain injury was the direct cause of the death and that he is guilty of killing Demi Leigh Mahon."

The court heard that the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has a mental disorder.

Child psychiatrist Dr C Lengua, for the defence, said it was a severe disorder and one that substantially impaired his responsibility for his actions.

He said the boy was suffering from an unsocialised conduct disorder. Symptoms included fighting, bullying, lying, temper tantrums and severe disobedience.

Demi died two days after sustaining injuries to 68 different areas of her body.

She had been left with the boy at the flat in Eccles while her mother, Ann-Marie McDonald, went to collect child benefits.

Proceeding