A woman tried to kill her son by attempting to pull him onto railway tracks beside her when a freight train hurtled towards them.

Andrea Reid, 53, was sentenced to three years in prison after a court heard of her ‘obsession’ with retaining custody of the 20-year-old.

She tried to pull him with her off the platform at Handforth railway station, in north-east Cheshire, as the train approached at 45mph.

But the man realised what was happening when he heard the train’s horn, and managed to pull his mum away as it shot past.

Reid, of Wilmslow, pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Chester Crown Court.

The Manchester Evening News reported she wept as the judge was handed a list of character references.

The court heard Reid went to a park with her son on July 26 last year, before visiting a pub where she drank four double vodkas and cokes.

She felt her ex-husband was ‘winning’ the legal proceedings over who could take custody of their son, who is autistic.

After leaving the pub, the pair travelled to the train station in Handforth.

Police officers found Reid in a ‘hysterical state’ on the steps of the station following the incident.

She told them: ‘Tonight I just had enough, I don’t wanna live and I don’t want him to live with this life.

‘We went to the track and then a fast train came and I went to pull him.

‘I tried to kill myself and my son – some mother I am.’

Defence counsel Sarah Badrawy told the court the background of the story was an ’emotional and mentally abusive relationship’ that resulted in an ‘acrimonious divorce’.

She added Reid was struggling with the intensity of the legal proceedings over custody, and her mental health had ‘deteriorated significantly’.

Judge Simon Berkson described the case as ‘tragic’ during sentencing.

He said: ‘Your intention was not only to kill yourself but your son, a son you loved so much that you had cared for his whole life.

‘It seems that his brave actions saved you both from certain death.

‘When police arrived you were hysterical. You went on to tell the police that your ex-husband was winning.

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‘You felt that he would not win if you killed your son. That was warped thinking.

‘You had left a suicide note and you went on to say that your actions were a stupid mistake related to the problems in your marriage.

‘The impact of your actions on that day have been felt by many members of your own family.’

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

If you're a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: [email protected] between the hours of 9am and midnight.

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