A mother is taking an eight-year fight for justice over her daughter's death to the European Court of Human Rights.

Jean Pearson is preparing to represent herself at the court to claim for damages for her daughter's life, which she says was unnecessarily taken away after she was wrongfully arrested Kelly Pearson, 30, a drug addict who had been clean for two months, was living at home with her mother in Baildon when she was arrested and spent a weekend in custody at Eccleshill Police Station in November, 1999.

She was taken to London, where she had previously lived, to appear at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court to answer a warrant. At the court, it was discovered the police computer had been wrong and Kelly was told she was free to go.

The next day, her body was found in a pile of rubbish in a Soho street. Tests indicated her death was due to alcohol and drugs.

Mrs Pearson, 61, said her daughter suffered loss of liberty for 96 hours while suffering mental anguish.

And, she says, she cannot forgive police for not allowing her to see her while she was in custody at Holloway Prison, London, before the court hearing. She also wants to know why her daughter was wearing a paper suit while in prison because her clothing was wet.

She said: "I am making a claim for damages on behalf of my daughter's estate for the unnecessary loss of liberty, distress and anxiety and, finally, the greatest loss of all, her life. It was precious to me."

Mrs Pearson has dedicated the last eight years to fighting for justice for her daughter. She has lost appeals against a High Court decision not to grant the second inquest she wanted after a coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure.

She says she has spent £30,000 in legal fees and her legal aid has now been stopped, but the pensioner has vowed to continue investing her time and money in to highlighting her daughter's case.

She said: "This has taken my life. No amount of money can bring Kelly back, it just should not have happened. I wasn't allowed to see my daughter. The last time I saw her she was handcuffed and in distress and I just cannot forgive the police for that."

Even if she is successful at the European Court, Mrs Pearson, has vowed to campaign to improve the judicial system, including highlighting the need for medical holding stations for drug addicts in prison.

She said: "I intend to continue my battle with the prison service, the Prime Minister and the Government. I think the system stinks."