JAILED: Lesley Speed gets 18 years for murdering her seven-year-old son Archie Spriggs

Speed strangled and smothered Archie before leaving him lying dead in his bed and cutting her own neck, arms and wrist.

She tried to claim that Archie had taken his own life at the home she shared with the youngster and her partner Darren Jones, in Rushbury, near Church Stretton.

The murder happened on September 21 last year, the same day that Speed and Archie’s father, Matthew Spriggs, were due to attend family court in an acrimonious custody battle after Mr Spriggs applied for a residency order.

Further coverage:

• Authorities failed my son, says devastated father
• 'You should never have to bury your own child': Archie Spriggs' dad tells of his devastation
• Normal little boy caught up in bitter dispute

Speed, 44, who had a history of depression, did not show up at that hearing.

In a victim impact statement read to at Birmingham Crown Court , Matthew Spriggs, claimed the authorities dismissed his concerns and missed opportunities to prevent the killing.

As the verdict was announced by the jury yesterday Speed collapsed in tears, shouting: “No, no you’ve got it wrong. My kids are my life, they’re my world. Nothing would make me take their life. My kids are my world."