A 21-YEAR-OLD man who gave a newborn baby prescription drugs has been jailed for attempted murder.

Jamar Bailey was sentenced to 25-and-a-half years in prison today (Monday October 25) at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting the offence which happened in June this year.

The three-week-old baby girl had been taken into hospital on June 27 2020 after becoming listless and unresponsive.

A urine test detected sodium valporate – a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder and potentially fatal to the newborn.

Police were notified as the drug could not have been ingested accidentally.

Officers found Bailey, of Augustin Grove, Winson Green, Birmingham, was taking medication for seizures and a search of the property found a prescription drug for Epilim Chrono – which contains sodium valproate - in his name.

He was arrested on suspicion of wilfully harming a child.

Several items were seized and toxicology tests found evidence of the drug in the baby’s milk bottle.

Detectives also found a search history on Bailey’s mobile phone for 'how to poison a baby' and 'how to kill a newborn baby'.

Luckily, the tot survived and is now safeguarded and doing well, but police say it won’t be known until she is older if there are any lasting effects from her ordeal.

Detective Sergeant Kirsty Wilson, from the West Midlands Police force public protection unit, said: “The little girl is so lucky to be alive and we are really pleased that she is doing so well.

“Bailey’s actions were premeditated and could quite easily have resulted in her death.

“Our investigation was complex and relied on medical evidence and the support of partner agencies, so we are satisfied that justice has been done.”

Bailey will have to serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.