The mother in a baby in the bath trial has been jailed for three years after being convicted of manslaughter.

Mr Justice Picken told single mum Sarah Elizabeth Morris, 35, that he had to take into account the fact that she had lost the baby she loved.

The judge said there were no aggravating features and no previous convictions and he agreed with defence barrister Patrick Harrington QC that her case of gross negligence could be regarded as a single lapse by a mother who otherwise showed a satisfactory standard of care.

The specific failure was that she did not stay close when 13-month-old daughter Rosie was in the bath.

She normally sat with the twins when they were in the bath but that day she did not do so.

Alcohol and drugs use did not play any part in that negligence, the judge told Mold Crown Court.

No evidence that she used substances had been called at the trial and any allegations had not been tested.

"It would be wrong to proceed on the basis that your conduct in the care of the twins was not otherwise satisfactory," he said.

Only two weeks before Rosie's death social services had not considered her care to be anything other than satisfactory.

The judge said Morris was remorseful for her daughter's death although she did not accept that she was criminally responsible.

The mother had tried to assist Rosie after she found her in the bath.

Morris, of High Street, Bagillt, had certain psychological and related difficulties and the judge said that he could not ignore the fact that she had lost a daughter she loved and had lost custody of her son.

The defence description of her future as bleak was sadly probably right, he said.

Mr Justice Picken said he also had to take into account that she had originally been told after the 2015 tragedy that she would not be prosecuted and was then told two-and-a-half years later that she would.

The judge said Rosie had drowned in the bath on July 29, 2015, after Morris had left the twins in the bath while she was on the phone.

By doing that, for however short a time, she had been guilty of gross negligence, he said.

Mr Justice Picken described it as a desperately sad case.

No sentence he could impose could ever match the sense of responsibility she would feel for her role in Rosie's death and it would be a burden that would live with her for the rest of her life. he said.

Rosie's brother would have to grow up without his twin sister and the family could not look forward to Rosie growing up, he said.

In a statement after the sentencing hearing a member of the family said: “On July 29, 2015 my life and my family’s life changed forever when I received the worst phone call.

"I never thought Rosie would lose her life aged just 13 months due to total and utter neglect by her mother, Sarah Morris.

"Rosie's death could have been avoided.

“Still to this day I am haunted by what happened and it breaks my heart to think how she must have suffered with her twin in the same bath as her, helpless and watching her drowning.

“Rosie’s death has had a massive effect on our lives, but today I feel that justice has been done for Rosie.

"I will ensure that her memory is not forgotten.”

“I would like to thank the prosecution team, Detective Constable Ruth Roberts, civilian Investigator Dave Jones and Maureen Bisson from the Homicide Victim Support team for their support during this difficult time.”

Investigating officer DC Ruth Roberts said: “The events that happened on July 29, 2015 will remain with those connected with baby Rosie Morris for the rest of their lives, especially her loved ones.

“Rosie was inadequately supervised by her mother Sarah.

"She was left in a vulnerable position, she was reliant on her mother, but she neglected her.

"She failed in her duty of care and that failure resulted in the most tragic circumstance."

DC Roberts added: “The jury have listened to the evidence over the last two weeks and today they have deemed that Sarah’s failure to adequately care for Rosie during those 47 minutes amounts to gross negligence and have therefore found her guilty of gross negligent manslaughter.

“There is no sentence which can take away the pain felt by Rosie’s family.

"Today’s verdict cannot bring Rosie back, but hopefully in the weeks and months ahead it will provide the family with some closure.

“We welcome the three year sentence, and our thoughts very much remain with the extended family that has had to endure a prolonged and very distressing investigation.

"We are grateful to the family for their patience, co-operation and dignity over the last three-and-a-half years.

“We would also like to thank the medical experts and the Crown Prosecution Service for their support and guidance without whose help this prosecution would not have been possible.

"I now hope the family can move forward and attempt to rebuild their lives.”