A SINGLE mum who is accused of attempting to kill her severely disabled son by administering a cocktail of prescription drugs has broken down in court while giving evidence.

Pembe Mehmetaliogullari has denied the attempted murder of her severely disabled son, Mustafa, known as ‘Musti’.

The defendant has told the court her marriage to a local policeman in Northern Cyprus started to break down after the couple found out she could not have children.

"It was like I didnt exist," she said. "I wasn't worthy. He started drinking and couldn't accept it."

The court has heard that the baby the couple finally adopted, 'Musti', had been found in a dustbin.

When the husband found out the baby was severely disabled at six months old, he issued an "ultimatum".

"He said it was 'baby or me'," she told the court.

In opening the case against Mehmetaliogullari at Brighton Crown Court on May 16, Miranda Moore QC said that paramedics were called to the defendant’s home at Eastview Terrace, Sedlescombe, on September 27, 2018, and found the boy in bed and unresponsive.

‘Musti’ died three days later.

Mehmetaliogullari, 48, of Kerrison Mews, Lower Market Street, Hove, also denies a charge of giving the 10-year-old boy a noxious substance.

The case before Mrs Justice Justine Thornton DBE QC continues.

READ MORE: Hove mum denies attempting to murder severely disabled son