A DAUGHTER sought revenge when her mother sold her beloved ferrets without her knowledge.

Jane Saville added turpentine to insulin capsules used by her diabetic mother, Vanessa.

Durham Crown Court heard that Saville said nothing when her mother took injections using the sabotaged capsules over the next 24 hours.

Richard Cowen, prosecuting, said: "Her sugar levels did not reduce, and continued to be sky high.

"She injected more insulin to combat it, but became suspicious after smelling traces of turpentine as she injected it."

Mrs Saville had to have surgery to remove contaminated areas of flesh from her arms and stomach.

Mr Cowen said that when arrested, Saville told police she knew there was a risk over her actions, "but didn't appreciate just how dangerous it could have been".

The 20-year-old, previously of Wolsingham Road, Tow Law, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, admitted administering a poison so as to endanger her mother.

Rod Hunt, for Saville, said: "It's one of the most unusual cases I've come across in many years."

Mr Hunt said Saville had learning disability problems, although psychiatric and psychological reports suggested she had no illness.

Mr Hunt said that after her parents separated, Saville, "in her own immature way, transferred her love to the ferrets. When she discovered they had been sold, she reacted in this wicked way".

Judge Michael Cartlidge said: "This was an incredibly wicked thing to do. But I see you say how sorry you are and wish you could turn the clock back. I will not lock you up but I seriously thought about it, and if you do anything like that again you are volunteering to go to prison for a long time."

He imposed a three-year community supervision order.