A WOMAN who injected a child with a needle contaminated with human faeces has been slammed by a judge for a 'terrible catalogue of cruelty'.

Elizabeth Faragher was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after she repeatedly injected the child in her direct care, causing walking difficulties.

The 43-year-old was blasted by Judge Simon Medland QC as he sentenced the Barrow woman to five years and ten months behind bars.

She previously admitted five charges of administering a poison or noxious substance with intent and one charge of cruelty to a person aged under 16.  

Preston Crown Court heard the child had been in and out of hospital between 2015 and 2016.

Doctors were concerned about the seriousness of the infections and their investigations showed that on the majority of the occasions the child was brought to hospital, bacteria normally only present in faeces was found to be present.

Further investigations ruled out the possibility of faecal matter leaking from the child’s gut, which increased the concern that the bacteria was finding its way into the child’s system via deliberate injection.

The shocking truth behind the illnesses was uncovered following a lengthy police investigation.

She was charged with offences and was due to stand trial at Preston Crown Court in April but later pleaded guilty.

In mitigation, Rosalind Emslie-Smith described how Faragher was struggling with the loss of her husband and had become an alcoholic.

Ms Emslie-Smith said: "She was quite clearly a woman traumatised.

"Finally she acknowledges she needs to get some help because she was struggling."

She said Faragher had now sought bereavement counselling.

Judge Medland said: "You must have seen the impact this had and the terrible consequences.

"What motivated you to behave in this way is not clear.

"I accept you were vulnerable.

"This vulnerability, however, in no sense excuses your conduct towards this child."