Mother "abandoned child in drug den"

Prosecuting at York Crown Court, Ian Brook said the flat had broken glass, a syringe containing what looked like blood and other drug user paraphernalia, and potential hazards, and the boy slept in a makeshift bed on the floor.

The boy himself was dirty, continually scratched the back of his neck, had not eaten properly, or had a change of clothes.

"The conditions were disgusting," said the barrister. "She left him (the boy) alone with him (the flat's drug using occupant) knowing neither he nor the premises were suitable."

The drug user's solicitor advocate Graham Parkin said he had mental health problems.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told the mother: "When you decided you wanted a break, you put your interests so far above his, you simply abandoned him in a drug den with a drug user. You knew that is what you were doing and you simply didn't care."

The 50-year-old Selby mother, who is not being named to protect her son's identity, pleaded guilty to child neglect. Because it took more than a year to put her before the court, the ten-week prison sentence was suspended for 12 months on condition she does 15 rehabilitative activity days.

The drug user, 44, who had admitted an offence in connection with the incident at an earlier hearing, did not attend court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He is believed to now be in Bradford.

Mr Brook said when police tracked her down, the mother told officers she had just popped out for 40 minutes to do some shopping believing her son was in a different flat.

But the boy said he had been at the drug user's flat for two days and had not seen his mother during that time, said Mr Brook.

For the mother, Alex Menary said she suffers from bad health including a chronic pulmonary disorder.

Documents before the court showed the boy had made a "remarkable recovery" said the judge, and the mother was only allowed to see him under supervision.