The family of a Temple Ewell woman who was jailed after she restrained her daughter to prevent her going out to buy drugs say they are lodging an appeal against the prison sentence.

Julia Saker, 44, was sent to prison for 12 months after she admitted false imprisonment of her daughter Tabitha.

Tabitha’s ex-boyfriend Christopher Francklin, 22, also admitted the offence and was sentenced to 18 months.

The court heard that Tabitha, 18, had tried to climb out of a window to meet a drug dealer, but was bundled to the floor, tied up with tape and had a sock pushed into her mouth.

But Tabitha had already dialled 999 so the whole incident could be heard by the operator and police.

Officers arrived at the home and arrested her mum and Francklin.

Jailing them, Judge Adele Williams said it was a serious offence which subjected the victim to violence and humiliation.

Now Tabitha and her father Tim Saker say they will be lodging an appeal against the sentence.

“She shouldn’t have to suffer as a result of me taking drugs,” said Tabitha.

“I think most parents would have felt it was the right thing to do, that she didn’t really have much other option."

Mr Saker said he couldn’t believe his wife had been sent to prison. He said he thought at the worst she would get a suspended sentence.

“I wasn’t there at the time it happened but I understand my wife’s involvement was minimal. She only put some tape around the outside of her jeans to stop her kicking and hurting herself."

Last week the Mercury revealed that MP Charlie Elphicke was writing to the Attorney General to ask for the case to be reviewed.

Mr Elphicke said the case had caused a lot of concern locally.

"Drugs are a real evil of our times,” he said. “Many people tell me any parent would do all they could in such a case. It seems clear that Julia’s motive was to help her daughter. In view of this, many feel that the sentence is too harsh.

“I will be asking for the case to be reviewed.”