A DRUG addict who subjected a little boy to a beating and left him injured has kept her freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how mother-of-three Joanne Ward, 26, had been withdrawing from heroin and cannabis when she lost her temper and struck the child several times, leaving him bruised and with finger marks on his body.

Ward, whose abusive, alcoholic partner has since died and who afterwards tried to commit suicide, immediately sought assistance when she realised what she had done and police who were called reported she was sorry.

The defendant was said to have a personality disorder because of an unhappy childhood and to have come from a dysfunctional family.

Ward, then of Ronaldsway, Nelson, was given a three year community rehabilitation order, after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said the defendant had had the good sense to realise she had hurt the child and that he needed help. He added Ward was showing signs of change and he did not believe any right minded thinking person would think it correct if he sent her to jail. The offence was said to be a one-off in temper.

David Pickup, prosecuting, told the court the victim was taken to Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, and medics found bruises, finger marks and possible thumb prints. The defendant was later arrested, made full admissions and said she had hit the boy two or three times.

Ward appeared remorseful to police and told officers she had been taking anti-depressants, heroin and cannabis. Three days before she had stopped all the drugs and was having withdrawal symptoms.