Drunk mum loses contact with toddler

Drunk mum loses contact with toddler

22 March 2017

A WOMAN has lost contact with her son after being found drunk in charge of the toddler in Newcastle.

The woman, who is in her 30s and cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, was reported to police by passers by as she walked along Main Street on January 28.

She was pushing a pram and the child was running behind her. The woman was unsteady on her feet and crossed the road without regard to the passing traffic.

When police spoke to the woman her speech was slurred, she had problems standing and was “abusive” to the officers. She told police she had consumed four pints within five hours.

Police later charged her with being drunk in charge of a child under the age of seven.  She appeared at Downpatrick Court this week.

Defence solicitor Chris Logue said his client was a “recovering alcoholic” who had taken her child to Newcastle for a day out. 

He said she was in a hurry when walking down the street because she was trying to catch the last bus back to her home, which is in County Antrim. 

The woman lost contact with her child because of this incident, but hopes to be able to see the child in the future, Mr Logue said.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said this was a “sad” matter in which a member of the public felt it necessary to contact police about the mother’s “failure” to act responsibly in the care of her child.

“It’s disgraceful in that respect,” he said.

Although the judge ordered the woman to pay a £100 fine he said the main punishment is her lack of contact with her child.