A man left a three-month-old baby fighting for his life death after deliberately inserting a cleaning wipe into his body.

Graeme McArthur, 39, of Cambuslang, admitted pushing the baby wipe into the child's body while changing his nappy, leaving him with a perforated bowel last February.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney told the High Court in Glasgow that  the incident occurred as McArthur, who was looking after the child, was changing his nappy. 

When the baby was admitted to hospital he was close to death and had to undergo a four and a half hour operation to repair his bowel.

During the operation the wipe was removed from inside of the child's abdomen. 

The wipe was deliberately put into the child's body while McArthur was cleaning him. The next day in a bid to remove the wipe he caused horrifically internal injuries including a perforated bowel. 

A consultant paediatrician is of the opinion the pain would have been excruciating.

By the time the baby was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride on February 17 he was so ill he had to be resuscitated and moved to Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow.

Mr Kearney added: "The accused folded a baby wipe round his finger and inserted three quarters of the wipe in the baby's bottom - leaving a quarter of it hanging out. His intention was for the wipe to act as a plug to catch any further poo and in effect keep his bottom clean. He then put the baby's nappy back on."

"The accused did not mention to anyone what he had done with the wipe or about his attempts to remove it, even when it was clearly apparent that the child was unwell and there was something wrong with that part of his body.

The baby was taken to her GP  by his mother as he was quiet and pale and whimpering. The doctor immediately arranged for an ambulance to take the baby to hospital.

Mr Kearney added: "The baby was so ill he couldn't even cry. His skin was mottled as a result of poor circulation of blood to the skin. It was apparent that however was wrong was life-threatening."

When McArthur, from Cambuslang, was questioned by police about the injuries they found him to be somewhat vague and evasive. 

The court heard the baby has made good progress, but it is not known yet known if he will make a complete recovery.

McArthur admitted acting culpably and recklessly and with utter disregard for the consequences and to the danger of  the life of the baby boy between February 14 and 17, last year. 

Judge Lord Turnbull deferred sentence until March.