Treatment order for mother who killed baby son

Joanne Catley, aged 33, needed help and further medical treatment, Recorder Sir Rhys Davies said at Manchester Crown Court.

Catley admitted killing her son at the family home in Dale Street West, Horwich,

The judge told the mother: "I have seen all the background material and the details relating to your current situation.

"I am concerned to make an order which will ensure things are done for your benefit as well as reflecting the view the court must have in relation to sentence in a tragic case of this kind."

Judge Davies imposed a two-year Community Rehabilitation Order with a condition that Catley has medical treatment.

He said: "I want to ensure you get the advice and necessary treatment. You must appreciate the court is concerned to see there is supervision and if you are in breach of any of the terms of the order you must appreciate you will be brought back to court to be dealt with."

Catley, who did not appear in the dock at court and was allowed to sit next to her lawyers, admitted a charge of infanticide involving her son, Jack.

John Broadley, prosecuting, did not outline the full background but revealed the baby died at the family home in Dale Street West, Horwich, last year.

Mr Broadley said Catley was suffering from a mental problem at the time and had been admitted to hospital soon after the baby's birth but was released shortly afterwards.

The prosecutor said: "Various mental health workers visited the house and the husband looked after both the mother and child."

But, he said, on the day of the incident, Mrs Catley telephoned her husband at work and said the baby was dead.

She admitted the offence when interviewed by police.

Miss Janet Reader, defending said Mrs Catley, a woman of good character, was in regular contact with the medical authorities and has regular visits at home.

A spokesman for the mental health service in Bolton told the Bolton Evening News last night that she could not comment on the case.