BABY DIES IN ARSON ATTACK

His mother Danielle Wails, 21, has been released from hospital after suffering superficial injuries in the incident.

She had alerted authorities to her ordeal by dialling 999 with her tongue as her hands had been tied by telephone wire.

Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin, leading the inquiry for Northumbria Police, said Ms Wails had been in her kitchen when she was attacked.

"Two men wearing black entered the house," she said.

"They punched her and kicked her and she passed out. She was dragged into the living room wher he baby son was.

"When she came to she could smell smoke. Her hands were tied with what seemd to be telephone cord. She screamed for help.

"Since her hands were tied she called emergency sevices with her tongue."

Ms Franklin added that the attackers must have been aware of the presence of the baby.

"Mum was on one side of the living room, the baby was on the other, and the living room is only feet long," she said.

"The baby was crying during the attack on Danielle."

Ms Wails is now being cared for by relatives and is said to be shocked and distressed.

Police said it was too early to establish a motive or the intended victim.

A post mortem on Alexander will be carried out later today.

The attacked house in Cowgate, Newcastle, is owned by charity charity St Cuthberts Care and is located in a development dedicated to young mothers needing help.

How sick is this world we're living in eh?