A troubled mum-of-four who broke her baby's ribs while changing a nappy was "at the end of her tether", a court heard.

But a merciful judge has decided not to send her to prison after hearing she was suffering from post-natal depression.

He said the 26-year-old woman, from Willesborough, caused the rib fractures "recklessly rather than deliberately".

Canterbury Crown Court heard that all four children – who were taken into care – are now in the care of their father.

The woman’s name cannot be revealed because of a court ruling to protect the identities of the children.

She had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm but had denied another charge relating to a fractured skull and the Crown Prosecution Service accepted the not guilty plea.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette explained that experts had accepted the mother’s explanation of how the head injury was caused accidentally.

He said the woman took her baby to the William Harvey Hospital for treatment just a week before Christmas Day 2015.

But police were called after doctors raised fears the injuries to the baby were "non-accidental".

"The rib injuries were discovered later and the parents were spoken to and social services sought an emergency protection order.

"The end result was the other three children, together with the baby, were removed just three days before Christmas.

"The mother was interviewed by police and told them she didn’t know how the injuries occurred but had admitted taking hold of the baby rather harder than she had intended," he added.

Mr Foinette said the mother said she was trying to change the baby's nappy as the other children were "running riot" and she struggled to control them.

The prosecutor said there was medical evidence to suggest she had been suffering from post-natal depression.

Kieran Brand, defending, said the woman had never been before the courts before, nor had she had any involvement with social services.

"She was a full-time mum going through a difficult time and on the day things just got too much for her. This was in no way intentional," he said.

Judge James O’Mahony said that although causing serious injury to a defenceless baby was very serious, "it would be quite wrong to impose an immediate custodial sentence".

In passing a nine-month jail sentence suspended for two years, he added: "You were clearly overcome by post-natal depression and matters just got too much for you.

"And you were reckless in the way you handled the baby that you no doubt love. You have been dealt with mercifully and I hope things improve."

He ordered her to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work for the community and told the Crown Prosecution Service and the police officer in charge of the case that their decisions had been "absolutely right".