A mother murdered her seven-year-old son on the day of a custody hearing after saying she would rather he was dead than lose him, a court heard.

Lesley Speed, 44, is accused of killing Archie Spriggs on the same day she and her ex-partner Matthew Spriggs were due to attend a family court.

The schoolboy was found lying dead in his bed by Speed's partner, Darren Jones, at their home in Church Stretton, Shropshire, on September 21 last year.

Speed was also found bleeding with knife wounds. She was taken to hospital and later charged with murder.

A court heard how Speed wrote in letters found at her home that she "would rather that Archie be dead than see him leave with his father".