A MENTAL health nurse contacted police after a patient told her in detail how she planned to kill her own son.

Blackburn magistrates heard Shelley Antcliffe later claimed it had been a deliberate attempt to get herself sectioned because she wanted to get some respite from the drug abuse which she felt was blighting her life.

Antcliffe, 44, of Major Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to making a threat to Rachel Wigan that she would kill Connor Antcliff.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a mental health treatment requirement and 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement. She was ordered to pay £150 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the threat was made during a mental health consultation with nurse Wigan.

"She said she was planning to kill her son and would have to wait until he was asleep because he would overpower her otherwise," said Mrs White.

"Similar threats had been made during a previous consultation and Miss Wigan decided she needed to inform the police."

Probation officer Janette Singleton, who prepared a pre-sentence report for the court, said it was concerning that Antcliffe had considered being sectioned as a way to manage her drug use.

She said the defendant's use of amphetamine had started because of her son's use and his association with drug dealers.

Richard Prew, defending, said because his client's son was a drug user and she refused to ask him to leave her home it created a toxic situation.

"She wanted to get out of that situation by getting herself hospitalised," said Mr Prew.