A man has been jailed for life for murdering a nine-year-old girl and leaving her mother fighting for life after he attacked them with a claw hammer.

Michael Hooker, 50, is believed to have turned on little Mollie Haynes as she came to the aid of her mother, being attacked in a bedroom of her home in Cavalry Crescent, Eastbourne.

Hooker had denied murdering Mollie and attempting to murder her mother, Helen Perkins.

But yesterday, on what was to have been the first day of his trial at Lewes Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to the murder and to causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Perkins with intent.

Judge Richard Brown said killing a child in such a manner was "one of the most cowardly and wicked acts that any man can stoop to."

Brave Ms Perkins, who is still suffering the effects of her near-fatal wounds, was in court to see her former boyfriend jailed.

She sat in the public gallery with her head bowed as the judge told Hooker he must serve at least 20 years behind bars before being considered for release.

The court heard that despite admitting the charges, he claims he has no memory of the savage attack on July 10 last year.

Hooker had made a chilling prediction that one day he might kill Ms Perkins.

In 2004 when he was arrested for assaulting her, a police officer asked him if he had considered ending the relationship. Hooker replied: "I think I'll have to because I reckon one day I will end up going there and killing her, to be honest."

The case was dismissed by magistrates when it came to court.

Hooker, a carpenter and divorced father of twins, began the relationship with Ms Perkins in 2001 and although it ended he would regularly visit and sometimes carry out jobs around the house.

On the day of the attacks, Hooker, of Northbourne Road, Eastbourne, had spent the afternoon filling a paddling pool for Mollie in the garden and putting up trellis fencing.

At about 9.45pm neighbours heard thudding noises coming from Ms Perkins' home and became concerned when they heard Mollie crying "Mum, Mum."

When Ricky Warner and his mother went to the back door and called out to Mollie, Hooker replied: "Yeah, everything is all right."

They were still worried and when Mr Warner went to check, he found Hooker crouching by the front door with blood splashes on his hands.

He told Mr Warner: "I've phoned the police. They're coming." When officers arrived, Hooker told them: "I think I've killed them."

Mother and daughter were taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital but Ms Perkins was transferred to Hurstwood Park Hospital in Haywards Heath and Mollie to King's College Hospital, London, where she died at 8.45pm the day after the attack.

Judge Brown told Hooker: "I have little doubt that Mollie was desperately trying to help her mum when she suffered the hammer blows to her head which led to the fractures of the skull and severe brain damage.

"There are also other injuries which indicate that you were likely gripping her at some stage during the attack, and that she was making an effort to defend herself.

"We will never know the extent of the fear and pain that passed through that young child's mind as you delivered those deadly blows.

"Killing a vulnerable child in this manner must be just about one of the most cowardly and wicked acts that any man can stoop to."

Jeremy Gold QC, defending, said Hooker could not explain why the attack had happened.

He said: "He cannot explain it or remember it."

Ms Perkins' elder daughter Ellie, 19, said the family was satisfied with the length of the sentence imposed on Hooker.

Ellie said: "Twenty years is a long time but it will never bring Mollie back."

She described her sister as bubbly and fun. She said: "She just loved everything. She was amazing."