Matthews had been looking after Kyle at home

Tyrone Matthews, 25, of Hatherton Street, Walsall, West Midlands, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Kyle Keane in June 2006.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Matthews had a history of cruelty to Kyle and his mother Kerry Mackintosh.

Mackintosh admitted a cruelty by failing to protect her son. Her six-month sentence was suspended.

The court heard that on 29 June last year, Macintosh, 21, was shopping with her daughter Larissa when she received a call from Matthews saying that Kyle was having a fit.

Head injuries

She went home immediately and called an ambulance. Paramedics said that when they arrived at the house they found Kyle unconscious.

He was taken to hospital, but his life support machine was switched off the following day.

Kyle Keane died of head injuries

A post-mortem examination found that Kyle died of head injuries after being severely shaken.

Matthews claimed they had just been play-fighting.

The court also heard that Matthews had previously caused bruising to both Kyle and his 21-year-old mother.

Mr Justice Gibbs told Matthews it was his responsibility not to lose his temper with Kyle.

Kyle's natural father Robert Keen said in a statement outside court that he would never get over his son's death.

He said: "Nothing will ever replace Kyle and the loss that we're feeling in losing a son."