To what lengths would you go to save your child from a potentially fatal addiction?

Sentencing guidelines have been called into question after a woman from Dover was ordered to serve a 12 month jail sentence after physically restraining her daughter from leaving the house.

This may sound justified when put in these simple terms, however, there is a much darker element to this story. The daughter had become dangerously addicted to heroin and the reason she wanted to leave the house was to get her next fix. This begs the question, what is acceptable when it comes to the parent-child relationship?

Julia Saker is a 50 year old woman from Dover. Her daughter, Tabitha became addicted to heroin at the age of 19. Tabitha was in the midst of a downward spiral of self destruction. Her mum saw this, and as she was on her way out to meet her dealer, Julia made a split section decision. She tied her up.

Speaking to The Mirror she said: “If I’d have let Tabitha meet her dealer and she’d died or ended up prostituting herself to buy drugs, I should have been in trouble. But in the eyes of the law I wouldn’t. It’s stupid. This was the kick up the bum Tabby needed. She realised her drug use was affecting other people. It wasn’t just ‘recreational’.”

Julia with her daughter Tabitha

Julia was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court, even after a five page letter pleading for her mothers innocent intentions.

After the initial restraint, Tabitha dialled 999. Thinking the Police would understand her plight and help her in her struggle to stop her daughter purchasing drugs, Julia wasn't worried about her presence. However, she was arrested and placed in Police custody. Deciding she was too "hysterical" to remain in prison, she was placed on suicide watch.

Jail was hell for Julia, "“This is all I’d wanted, to be home. This is where I always want to be, with my family and animals.”

Julia was released early from her sentence, even though her appeal was dismissed.