A Blackpool mum has been jailed for nearly 10 years after allowing her daughter with Down's Syndrome to starve to death in a 'squalid room'.
Debbie Leitch, 24, lifeless body was found on August 29, 2019 - she was infected with scabies.
Police were then called to the Blackpool property by North West Ambulance Service.
At the time, a statement issued on behalf of Ms Leitch's family previously described her as a 'wonderful girl' who was 'always happy, and always friendly'.
But in March 2021, Ms Leitch's mother, Elaine Clarke, 49, of Garden Terrace, was charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
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Last month, she confessed to killing her daughter.
Charges against a second defendant for causing or allowing the death of Ms Leitch were later dropped, reports LancsLive
Mrs Justice Amanda Yip sent Clarke to jail for nine years and seven months.
The judge told Clarke: "You have the misfortune all four of your children have additional needs. That can't have been easy but you disregarded Debbie's needs.
"You say have lost your family through your offending.
"There has been some delay in you being brought to justice as you were not charged until April 2021.
"You have some medical needs which are being met in custody and I'm told you are seeking counselling.
"The greatest mitigation is your guilty plea for which you are entitled to credit.
"You changed your plea to guilty just before Christmas, avoiding the inevitable distress a trial would have caused to many people."
She added: "The state of Debbie shows you did not do your best. You abandoned her to die in pain, without nourishment in the most awful surroundings."
Aggravating factors, said the judge, included the history of abuse through neglect, the significant suffering caused, the ignorance of previous warning, and her action after death, including that help was not summoned for hours after her death and the lies to social services.
She continued: "During that last month there is evidence your daughter experienced real suffering. She was starved.
"Her scabies ran out of control. She became more and more weakened In the last days she was denied care and dignity.
"Anyone entering her room could have been in no doubt her life was in danger.
"You left her to die in her squalid room.
"Your grossly negligent conduct in the last month of Debbie's life continued in the face of her suffering and you showed a blatant disregard. Your own relatives told you Debbie would die if things continued as they were.
"You were not open and honest with professionals who tried to give you the help you needed. You were given every opportunity to turn things around.
"If you were struggling with Debbie's care you should have said rather than leave things till they reached the point of no return.
"The circumstances are deeply disturbing."
Mrs Justice Yip added: "However, it was you who called emergency services and you did nothing to conceal the conditions in which she died.
"You are now 49 and have no previous convictions. I accept your life has not been easy. On the other hand, you had a supportive family who offered help."
The judge commended the emergency services who attended who conducted themselves with compassion in the face of 'truly horrifying' scenes.
She also thanked the professionals involved in the court process.
A number of police officers are being named for commendation. Following their attendance at the scene their uniforms had to be burnt because of the risk of infection.
Mrs Justice Yip said: "I know this case has not been easy for many people and it is one which will remain in memories for many years time."
