GMP
Kian died after a TV fell on him while his mother was high on drugs (GMP)

A mother has been jailed for 15 months over the death of her four-month-old son, Kian, who died after a 70lb (32kg) television fell on him.

Natalie McMillan, 25, had been high on drugs and alcohol when the TV set toppled on to her baby. She was charged with child cruelty and neglect.

Her former partner, Edward Hanratty, 44, pleaded guilty to the same charge at Preston Crown Court last month.

McMillan was cleared of manslaughter.

Judge Anthony Russell QC said that McMillan had put her "self-indulgent drugs lifestyle" ahead of her son's welfare.

The baby, he said, died from catastrophic injuries at their home in Burnley, Lancashire.

During her trial, McMillan blamed Hanratty for Kian's death, claiming she had been upstairs in bed when he died.

She also denied being under the influence of drink and drugs at the time of his death but tests showed she had taken heroin and valium.

Hanratty, who had also taken drugs and alcohol, was passed out on the kitchen floor.

The judge said he was satisfied that it was McMillan who moved the TV in "foolishness", causing her son's death in December.

Russell said: "Over the short life of your child it is apparent that both you and your partner gave priority to your selfish and self-indulgent drugs lifestyle and neglected the welfare of Kian.

"On the night he died, both of you were so intoxicated by drugs and alcohol that you probably forgot all about him with the tragic consequence that he died."

Hanratty failed to attend his sentencing hearing and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Defending McMillan, Peter Wright said she was emotionally detached but that she had made considerable improvement.