A teenager who assaulted a newborn baby in his care has been handed a community sentence.

Mark Riley, 19, repeatedly seized the child by the legs and lifted the youngster up, causing the child's head and body to dangle unsupported.

On another occasion he twisted the leg of the weeks-old baby, causing severe injury.

Riley appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday for sentencing.

He previously admitted acting in a culpable and reckless manner with "total disregard for the circumstances" as well as assault to severe injury.

The court heard the offences happened in September 2015 at an address in the city.

Sheriff Graeme Napier described Riley's behaviour on the two occasions as "frankly appalling".

The sheriff added he had appeared "genuinely remorseful" when speaking to social workers about the incidents involving the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The sheriff said: "What you did was wrong. Many people would describe it as wicked.

"Be very clear that what I am about to do is a direct alternative to custody."

Riley, from Aberdeen, was placed on a community payback order.

He will be under supervision for the next 18 months and carry out 200 hours' unpaid work in the community within nine months.