A mum has been jailed for 3 years and 3 months after admitting pretending her son was terminally ill, and subjecting him to 325 unnecessary medical procedures in a bid to find out what was ‘wrong’ with him.

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Lisa Hayden-Johnson, 35 from Devon claimed her son, now 8, suffered from diabetes, food allergies, cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy, making doctors perform over 300 medical procedures, including blood tests and intravenous treatments.

Mrs Hayden-Johnson found national attention from her actions, describing her son to the media as, “the most ill child in Britain,” and receiving countless cash donations and charity gifts, including 2 cruises.

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Sentencing the mum to 3 years and 3 months in jail after she admitted cruelty and perverting the course of justice, residing judge, Stephen Wildblood said, “Your son will have to realise the fact that the one person who is supposed to care for and nourish him throughout his childhood was in fact causing him harm. Your name and face are well-known throughout the country. You will never be in a position to deceive people in this way again. “

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