A woman gave a toddler electric shocks using a dog training collar as punishment for not eating his food.

Former soldier Lanna Monaghan subjected the young boy to cold showers, bit him and hit him so hard with a wooden spoon it broke.

Monaghan, 34, formerly of Fort Augustus, in the Highlands, told social workers she had been pressurised by her mother to use the dog training device but this suggestion was not accepted by the Crown

At the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, Monaghan was jailed for three years and four months after admitting five charges of assaulting the boy at addresses in the Highlands in 2014 and 2015.

Judge Lady Rae told her: "You have pleaded guilty to a catalogue of offences over a 15-month period involving a young child who was aged two to three.

"He did not suffer lasting physical effects but it is impossible to determine what the emotional impact on this little boy will be."

Lady Rae told Monaghan she did not believe the attacks were because of her losing her temper, adding: "These were deliberate attacks on the child and appeared to be punishment for not eating his food or urinating on the floor."

Referring to the dog training device, the judge said: "I can't see how any right-minded person would use such an instrument on a dog, never mind a child.

"I can't believe you were encouraged to do this by a family member especially when it was that family member who reported you to the authorities.

"This defenceless little boy must have been terrified of you. You must have known what you did was wrong. Your victim was utterly unable to defend himself."

The court heard Monaghan had seen the electric training collar being used on a dog and told the pet owner: "If it works on a dog it will work on kids."

She had initially denied giving the toddler electric shocks with the dog training collar, the court heard.

Monaghan later claimed she had picked up the device during a visit to another woman's home.

She gave three shocks in quick succession to the boy's neck because he had refused to swallow a mouthful of food.

Monaghan told police: "I am truly sorry for what happened, I can't believe it happened."

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci told the court Monaghan has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Mr Renucci said: "She said she felt pressurised but accepts she had a decision to make. She could have made a decision not to act in the way she did.

"She has expressed genuine remorse and regret at her actions, not only for herself, but also the impact it has had on the child. She gets very emotional about that."

After the sentencing, Detective Inspector Nicola MacKenzie said: "This particularly harrowing case has thankfully reached a conclusion. Officers and partner agencies investigating the dreadful consequences of Monaghan's actions are to be commended for their thorough and sensitive approach; resulting in the victim's physical ordeal swiftly coming to an end and Monaghan's subsequent arrest."

Sandra Campbell, head of children's services at Highland Council, added: "This child is now legally protected and cared for, and will receive support to help him overcome the longer-term effects of his experiences.

"All concerned have found this a very difficult case and are content to have played a part in safeguarding his future."