A father accused of killing his newborn baby has been cleared of murder after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charge.

Christopher Sellman's trial continues with a single charge of manslaughter, which he has also denied.

He is alleged to have assaulted his daughter Tiffany when she was just 25 days old and caused a "catastrophic collapse" that led to her death in November 2008.

The 24-year-old refuse collector at first said the baby had trapped wind and went "floppy", losing colour.

But after it was revealed the baby had a fractured skull, he said he had dropped her and she hit her head on a changing table.

Camden Pratt QC, prosecuting, said a post mortem examination showed Tiffany suffered a "non-accidental impact injury", adding: "That is to say, an assault before her death."

Sellman's then girlfriend, Pamela Burdge, 24, gave birth to Tiffany prematurely on October 7 2008.

Sellman told in evidence how he was deeply affected by the death of his daughter. He collapsed sobbing as he said: "I was devastated."

He said he believed the baby had died after suffering breathing problems which developed at their flat in Greggs Wood Road, Tunbridge Wells.

"I did not do anything to harm her," he said. "I did not lose my temper with her at any time."

Sellman, of The Hurst, Tonbridge, denies manslaughter.

The trial continues.