A burglar stopped and struck a baby at least 25 times in the head as he crept through a Victorian home stealing sunglasses and a wallet, a murder trial has heard.
Harley Hicks, 20, is charged with the murder of a sleeping Zayden Veal during a robbery spree in suburban Bendigo in 2012.
Hicks beat the 10-month-old with a home-made baton made of copper wire wrapped in tape, which he carried with him, prosecutor Michelle Williams SC told Hicks' Victorian Supreme Court trial on Tuesday.
"Let me put it bluntly to you, he bashed the child to death with sufficient force to cause those very severe injuries," she told the jury.
"We allege the accused man unplugged the baby monitor and that he struck the baby at least 25 times to the head with that home-made baton."
Zayden's mother, Casey Veal, found her dead son lying in blood-stained sheets shortly after realising her home had been robbed early on June 15, 2012.
Zayden suffered head fractures and could not be revived by paramedics.
Ms Williams said Hicks had gone on a robbery spree in homes and cars in the area around the family's Long Gully home.
He entered the home about 2am through an unlocked door and stole a pair of sunglasses and a wallet containing close to $2000, Ms Williams said.
"Did the baby stir? I can't tell you that," Ms Williams told the jury on Tuesday.
"Perhaps that's the logical one (motive) for you."
Hicks has confessed to robbing some Long Gully homes on the morning Zayden died, thereby placing himself in the area at the time in what Ms Williams called a crucial piece of evidence.
He initially told police he was robbing homes with another man on the night Zayden died, the court was told.
Hicks said that man may have gone on to kill Zayden after he had gone home, but has now admitted that was a lie, Ms Williams said.
He also admitted to drinking three cans of bourbon and cola and smoking ice before leaving to rob homes, Ms Williams told the jury.
Police later found sunglasses allegedly stolen from Zayden's home at a house Hicks had recently visited, the jury heard.
The baton used to kill the baby was also found with DNA from both Hicks and Zayden stashed in a car at Hicks' Long Gully home, Ms Williams said.
"We say he is a burglar, a thief and a liar, and a killer," Ms Williams said.
Hicks has pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated burglary and three counts of theft.
Hicks' defence will respond on Wednesday morning.
