8:02pm Tuesday 15th January 2008
By Saiqa Chaudhari
A MOTHER who left her one-year-old baby in a car while she drank eight glasses of wine in a pub has spoken of her regret at her actions.
Gemma Train, aged 23, of Pinfold Close, Westhoughton, escaped a prison term when she appeared before Bolton Magistrates court charged with drunk in charge of child under seven and neglect.
Train was also ordered to get help for her drinking.
Speaking through her solicitor, Isobel Gray, after the hearing, Train, said: "She would wish for me to make an apology on her behalf to her son. She is very glad she is going to get the help she needs and that this has happened while he so young so that he was not aware of her behaviour.
"She never wants this to happen again she will do whatever is in her power to be a good mother."
The court heard how on December 2, Train left her baby in car for two hours while drinking "alone" in the Rose Hill Tavern on Leigh Road, Westhoughton, when she drank a bottle of wine and an extra two glasses.
She had left the keys in the ignition in and the music on, but had locked the door. The court was also told that Train said she checked on her son once during her drinking.
Bar staff and a customer intervened when they saw her leaving to go to her car and saw her take her child out who was crying The police were called.
Prosecutor Nicola Ormerod said: "Police described her as unsteady on her feet. She told police she was bang out of order' and drink got the better of me'.
Defending, Miss Gray conceded Train's actions were "appalling"
"The potential risk to her son was considerable," she said.
But Miss Gray said that Train who had pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing, was already seeking help for her drinking which had escalated from "binge drinking to something more serious".
Miss Gray said that Train, who works for the Child Support Agency, was currently on anti-depressendents and medication for her drinking.
She said: "She says she has not had a drink since December 2."
The solicitor also pointed out when the child was assessed by social services he was found to be fit and healthy, and that she was still being supported by the department, and her family.
Miss Gray said: "She never wants this to occur again and want to go forward and be a good mother."
Train was given a one month sentence for being drunk in charge of a child and a four month suspended sentenced for child neglect, to run concurrently.
The sentence was suspended for 12 months.
Train was also ordered to undertake work regarding her alcohol use and for her behaviour and thinking.
Costs of £43 were also imposed.
Chairman of the bench, David Vause said: "The offences are so serious only a custodial sentence is justified."
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