A nurse has been indefinitely confined to a mental hospital for poisoning her seven-year-old son with anti-depressants.

An attempted murder charge was dropped against the 30-year-old mother because it "was not in the public interest" to pursue.

Judge Ben Pearson ordered the Shoebury woman, who admitted giving noxious substances to her own child, was confined to Runwell Hospital for treatment "without limit of time" because she was so psychological disturbed.

He said today (Thursday): "Such an order is needed to protect you and your son from very serious harm."

Prosecuting barrister Nick Wilcox told Chelmsford Crown Court how the "tragic" case began with an e-mail sent by the woman - who cannot be named - to leaders at the church she attended.

Mr Wilcox said the woman had written: "I have told my son we can die tomorrow if he is still up for it."

Social services were called and the boy, then aged six, was temporarily taken into care but was reunited with his mother after the family GP declared "there was nothing wrong with her".

Paramedics were called to her home where she claimed to have overdosed on anti-depressants and given up to 40 tablets to her son.

Both were treated at Southend Hospital.

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