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Mother detained for drowning son Mother detained for drowning son
(about 5 hours later)
A debt-ridden woman who drowned her 11-year-old son has been detained indefinitely.A debt-ridden woman who drowned her 11-year-old son has been detained indefinitely.
James Taylor's body was found at the home he shared with his mother in New Ash Green, near Dartford, Kent, on 2 December last year.James Taylor's body was found at the home he shared with his mother in New Ash Green, near Dartford, Kent, on 2 December last year.
Jennifer Taylor, 45, admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.Jennifer Taylor, 45, admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Maidstone Crown Court heard she had debts of nearly £290,000 and wanted her son to "be in a better place".Maidstone Crown Court heard she had debts of nearly £290,000 and wanted her son to "be in a better place".
The court heard three psychiatric reports concluded that she had been suffering from a serious depressive illness.The court heard three psychiatric reports concluded that she had been suffering from a serious depressive illness.
Stabbed herself The financial pressures upon her became intense and she developed an intense depressive illness in the months leading up to the killing Judge Andrew Patience QC
Taylor was made the subject of a section 37 order under the Mental Health Act, detaining her without a time limit.Taylor was made the subject of a section 37 order under the Mental Health Act, detaining her without a time limit.
The court had been told that Taylor, who was a single mother, adored her son and had tried to take good care of him throughout his life but her mounting debts caused her to become depressed.The court had been told that Taylor, who was a single mother, adored her son and had tried to take good care of him throughout his life but her mounting debts caused her to become depressed.
Taylor called the emergency services on 2 December saying she had stabbed herself and drowned her son in the bath in their home in Knights Croft two days earlier, the court heard.Taylor called the emergency services on 2 December saying she had stabbed herself and drowned her son in the bath in their home in Knights Croft two days earlier, the court heard.
Police and paramedics found James in the bath with his head submerged in the water and discovered Taylor lying in a conservatory in bloodstained clothes with self-inflicted stab wounds.Police and paramedics found James in the bath with his head submerged in the water and discovered Taylor lying in a conservatory in bloodstained clothes with self-inflicted stab wounds.
Judge Andrew Patience QC said "the life of a happy, bright, talented boy was wasted" and described the case as an "appalling human tragedy".Judge Andrew Patience QC said "the life of a happy, bright, talented boy was wasted" and described the case as an "appalling human tragedy".
He added: "There is no question but that she adored her son and had tried to do her best for him but had got deeply into debt in her efforts to do so.
"The financial pressures upon her became intense and she developed an intense depressive illness in the months leading up to the killing."
The judge said her illness "led her to the belief that there was no solution to their problems other than to take James's life and kill herself".
Chris Tapp, director of debt charity Credit Action, said: "Obviously this is an absolutely tragic case and it is an extreme case in terms of actions that have been taken, but what it does indicate is the impact that financial debt and worries can have on individuals.
"That's why it's absolutely vital that as a society we take really seriously the problems we have in the UK with the amount of borrowing and the amount of people, particularly because of the recession, who are struggling financially."