An Italian mother who underwent a forced cesaerian section before her child was taken into care has been identified by a Judge.

Allessandra Pacchieri, 35, underwent the surgery after suffering a panic attack and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The procedure was “a matter for the courts” according to a statement from the trust which carried out the operation.

The North Essex Partnership NHS Trust issued the statement stating Ms Pacchieri “lacked the capacity to make decisions of such magnitude.”

It continued: “On this occasion the pregnancy made it very difficult to treat Ms Pacchieri as medications would have affected the unborn child.

“The application for the C-section was made to the Court of Protection by the Obstetricians to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and baby.

“[Ms Pacchieri] was extremely unwell and remained in hospital for some time after the birth for treatment of her mental disorder.”

The 15-month-old baby, with two siblings in Italy, is in currently in care with Essex County Council and has been put up for adoption.

An Essex County Council statement said: “In accordance with Essex County Council's Social Services practice social workers liaised extensively with the extended family before and after the birth of the baby, to establish if anyone could care for the child.

"The long term safety and wellbeing of children is always Essex County Council's priority.

Adoption is never considered until we have exhausted all other options and is never pursued lightly."

Ms Pacchieri applied to Italian Courts for order to return the child to Italy in May 2013 but the courts ruled the child should remain in England.