Jupiter
A teenage mum left her 12-month-old baby home alone in an unlocked house whilst she went out clubbing. The infant was discovered by a group of men the neglectful mum had told to go to her house for a party. They discovered the baby and phoned the police.
The 19-year-old mum - who has not been named - was filmed by CCTV kissing two different men on her night out, which began at 11.40pm, when she left her house. The baby was left alone until the young men arrived at 2.15am - the child's mother was still out partying, having told them she would be along later.
The young woman returned home at 3.30am and found police officers and social workers with her child. The baby was taken from her and placed in emergency care, but a court has now ruled the child can be returned to her.
Bridgend Magistrates imposed an eight-week suspended jail sentence, and a two-year supervision order on the woman, and ordered her to pay £85 costs after admitting willful neglect of a child in a manner likely to cause suffering, injury or death.
Prosecutor Deena Loynton said the woman, from Bridgend, Wales, admitted leaving her daughter alone but believed she was only out for about 10 to 15 minutes. She added that she knew 'her actions were stupid.'
Richard Ambrose, defending, said 'There is no evidence that this was a long-term situation of neglect.
'She accepts that she stayed out for longer than anybody thought was going to be the case and it led to the situation where the child was left on its own.
'Hopefully she will have learned the hard way that when it comes to looking after children - it's not something you can switch off.'