A REVIEW has been opened to find if any lessons can be learnt after a father killed his nine-month-old son.

Stephen Ward, 25, was jailed for eight years at the end of April after a jury unanimously found him guilty of shaking Jordan Ward to death with what doctors described as “the force of a high-speed motorbike crash”.

Bristol Crown Court heard that he was in sole care of Jordan at Burge Court, Cirencester, in June 2014 when the infant was subject to “catastrophic and irreversible” injuries.

Ward denied the charge of manslaughter but had his defence picked apart over a trial lasting 10 days.

As the verdict was read out, the mother of the child, Paula Watts, wept and clutched her heart.

Gloucestershire Children Safeguarding Board has now called a full review of the case, which they hope to finish before the end of the month.

David McCallum, independent chair of the board, said: “My thoughts are with Jordan’s family at this very difficult time.

“In Gloucestershire, we are determined to fully understand what has happened when a child is seriously harmed or killed. Whilst justice is carried out through the courts, serious case reviews are one way organisations involved can identify what might be learnt.

“A review into this case is underway and will be published once it has been finalised and shared with Jordan’s family in May.”

Case reviews are nearly always set-up in the wake of serious incidents involving children.

An NSPCC spokesman for the South West said: “We welcome the opening of a review into Jordan’s brutal death.

“Clearly there are lessons to be learned from this horrific case to ensure everything possible is done to prevent it happening again.

“If anyone has any concerns about a child’s welfare they should call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.”

Anyone who is concerned about a child or young person, can contact the safeguarding helpline on 01452 426565.