08 June 2009

Mother Admits Manslaughter Of 11-Year-Old Son

A mother of an 11-year-old boy who was found drowned at their home, has admitted unlawfully killing him.

The body of James Taylor was discovered by officers who were called to the house in Knights Croft, New Ash Green, near Dartford in Kent on 2 December last year.

At an earlier hearing in March, the boy's mother Jennifer Taylor, 45, had initially denied murdering her son. However, today she pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and will be sentenced on 20 June.

At Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Andrew Patience QC said he was satisfied she was suffering from a mental disorder.

He imposed an interim hospital order under Section 38 of the Mental Health Act to ensure Taylor remained in custody.

The judge adjourned the case, pending the completion of psychiatric reports.

The 45-year-old is being kept at the Trevor Gibbens mental health unit at Maidstone Hospital.

Following the incident in December, last year, she was taken to hospital and later charged with her son's murder.

Two post mortem examinations revealed James had died from drowning. Traces of drugs were also found in his body.

(JM/KMcA)