Community order for Bournemouth mum who neglected her son while she overdosed

The Bournemouth woman, 34, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taking drugs on December 14 while her toddler was left by himself in a Charminster alleyway.

He was found by concerned passers-by who contacted the police. Fifteen minutes later, paramedics were called to a nearby address where they discovered a woman overdosed on methadone.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court: “She stayed overnight in hospital and it was then that police and ambulance services tied up and it was identified that she was his mother.”

James Moore, defending, said the woman had had an “unfortunate life” and had previously been the victim of abuse. He said she had mental health issues but was now drug free.