Woman sentenced for neglect was four times over limit when her baby fell out of a first floor window

A mother was four-times the legal drink-drive limit at the time her toddler fell from the first floor window of a Northampton flat sustaining serious injuries.

The 40-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted neglect causing a child unnecessary suffering when she appeared before Northampton Crown Court.

She was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 15 months, and also ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation order for drugs and alcohol as well as a six-month mental health treatment programme.

Sentencing her, Judge Rupert Mayo told her: “If you ever need a reminder of what you did to your child, ask your barrister for the photos [of her injuries]. They would be deeply shocking to any parent.”

DC Gill Craddock, of Northamptonshire Police’s child protection team, said: “This was a truly appalling case of neglect where a mother was so intoxicated she failed to protect her own child from very serious injury. Her irresponsibility has had devastating consequences for her child and I hope this sends out a warning to any parent who gets drunk while in charge of a child.”

She also pointed to the Judge’s praise of the police for obtaining evidence of intoxication post incident by way of breathalysing the defendant in custody.