Mother jailed for ‘24-hour-a-day’ torture of son

A “SADISTIC” mother was jailed yesterday for subjecting her healthy son to “24-hour-a-day torture” by pretending he was severely ill to gain publicity and financial rewards.

Lisa Hayden-Johnson “revelled” in the national attention she achieved by claiming her young son was sick – including meetings with royalty and with former prime minister Tony Blair.

The mother of two, from Brixham, Devon, amassed cash donations and charity gifts, including two cruises, and successfully lobbied for her son to receive a Child of Courage Award.