A man jailed for abusing his newborn baby has allegedly been attacked in prison.

Tony Smith, who was sentenced to 10 years in February, was reportedly held hostage in his cell for hours and beaten with a sock filled with tuna cans and metal bars by fellow inmates.

The attack is said to have taken place at Swaleside Prison on the Isle of Sheppey on Tuesday, August 7.

The father was convicted alongside partner Jodie Simpson of abusing their baby, also called Tony, at their Maidstone flat.

His injuries were so severe his leg had to be amputated and will be unable to walk for the rest of his life.

Now three, Tony, affectionately known as Bear, was just 41 days old when he suffered multiple breaks to his legs and septicaemia as a result his parent's abuse.

When he was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition in November 2014 he was grey, frothing at the mouth and grunting.

The couple later admitted that they had delayed taking the weeks old baby to see a doctor because they were waiting for a plumber to fix a boiler.

While the couple denied the charges, a jury found them guilty within an hour.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Staff resolved an incident involving three prisoners at HMP Swaleside on August 7.

"The incident has been referred to the police so it would be inappropriate to comment further."