Emma Back wept yesterday at the grave of her young son when she came out of prison for his funeral.

Yet she was sent to jail for neglect and conspiracy to prevent the burial. She tried to keep it secret from her family.

They will never forgive or forget what she did. They know she left the little boy to rot in a blood-spattered cot.

It was her boyfriend Aaron Goodman, a crack-cocaine addict, who murdered Sam. She also took the drug.

Back's continued contempt for her family make her weeping at Bexhill Cemetery seem like crocodile tears.

She is serving three-and-a-half years for the wicked offences she committed. It is hard not to agree with her family who say she should be in jail longer.

If people doubt the devastating effect hard drugs can have on a couple, they should look at Back and Goodman and the inhumane way they treated the child.

The message from her family should also be heeded by anyone concerned about children they know. They should report them to the police or social services department right away.

That advice is far too late to save Sam but it could help other youngsters at risk.