Mother who tried to sell baby for £35,000 jailed

The 29-year-old, from north-east London, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was preparing to make the sale of her 11-month-old daughter at a hotel when she was arrested by police.

Two people working for the News of the World posed as a couple who wanted to purchase the little girl and tipped off police after a price had been agreed. The baby was taken into the care of Newham Social Services after the sting operation last September.

The woman was jailed at Inner London Crown Court yesterday for conspiracy to commit child cruelty and holding another person in slavery. A man, 48, who acted as broker for the sale was jailed for nine years.