A MOTHER who put her baby's life in danger by injecting him with muddy water has been jailed.

The 25-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was put under a 24-hour watch by nurses at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital after her nine-month-old son, who was being treated for abcesses on his leg, suffered repeated relapses.

Nurses discovered syringes and a dark liquid in her son's locker and the woman was arrested, Nigel Daly, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Mr Daly said the child was being treated at the hospital last summer. On the day the child's mother was told he was well enough to go home, he developed a mystery illness which turned his face pale and his hands and feet blue.

He added: "He had an unexpected episode of fever and almost had his leg amputated."

The child was back out of intensive care nine days later, but medics became concerned after finding four separate types of bacteria with contaminated water in his bloodstream. Tests showed it was likely to have been rain or tap water mixed with soil.

The woman, who suffered from a serious depressive illness, admitted unlawfully or maliciously causing a noxious thing to be administered with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

Sally-Ann Hales, defending, said: "Everyone agrees that it was very fortunate this child did not die. He remained in hospital until September when he went to live with his father. He is now a happy, healthy young boy."

Sentencing her to 18 months in prison, the judge said: "This was a ghastly offence and your son could have died."