A compassionate mum has called for a change in the law after a terminally ill woman lost her High Court battle for the right to commit suicide with the help of her husband.

Heather Pratten, of Bristol Close, Rayleigh, escaped a jail sentence in October last year after helping her own terminally-ill son to die.

She spoke after three judges said the husband of motor neurone disease sufferer, Diane Pretty, may not escape a jail sentence if he helped her die.

Mrs Pretty, who is losing her ability to move and communicate during the onset of the illness, will now take her case to the House of Lords.

She says she wants to commit suicide - but would need help to do so.

Mrs Pratten, 63, pleaded guilty last year to aiding her son Phillip Goodman's suicide - but walked free from the High Court after a judge described her case as "exceptional".

Her son's life was ended by an overdose on his 42nd birthday after a battle with an incurable form of Huntingdon's disease, which his father and brother had also contracted.

Mrs Pratten said she was not surprised by the judges' ruling but hoped it would raise the profile of such dilemmas and lead to a judicial review.

She said: "Some people endure endless suffering which they see as quite pointless. We are given the choice to make this decision for animals - but not for people.

"People should be able to end their lives with their family around and I certainly don't think anyone should go through the strain of having to do that illegally."

(Right) Heather Pratten with a treasured memento of her son, Phillip, who had an incurable form of Huntingdon's disease and who died from a drug overdose on his 42nd birthday

(Left) A kiss for motor neurone disease sufferer Diane Pretty from her husband outside the High Court in London

By Chris Weeks

Reporter's e-mail: chris.weeks@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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