Woman jailed for using electric dog collar on toddler

A woman who used an electric dog collar on a toddler as part of a "cruel" catalogue of abuse has been jailed.

Lanna Monaghan, a former soldier, was imprisoned for three years and four months after repeatedly fixing the collar to the boy's neck and inflicting shocks.

The 34-year-old, who is pregnant, used the collar on several occasions in July 2015, the High Court in Glasgow heard.

In total, Monaghan admitted five charges of abuse over a 15-month period from April 2014. The abuse included kicking the child, hitting him with a wooden spoon, biting him and subjecting him to cold showers at addresses in the Highlands.

While the boy didn't suffer any lasting physical effects, it would be "impossible" to determine the emotional impact it may have on him in future, sentencing judge Lady Rae said.

Referring to the use of the dog collar, Lady Rae added: "I can't see why any right-minded person would use such an implement on an animal, let alone a child".

The court heard Monaghan, who served in the army for nine years, had been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder and had experienced an emotionally and physically abusive childhood.