Perth couple who kept children in squalor sentenced

A couple who admitted exposing young children to danger by looking after them in filthy conditions and not having enough food for them have been ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Stephen Ferguson and Charlene Hodge were also placed on a two-year supervision order when they appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher was told that the property in Perth was a health risk to youngsters in the couple’s care, aged six, five and 17 months.

The floors and bedding of the flat were strewn with dog mess and there was not enough food for the children.

The property was also cluttered in dirty clothing and used baby wipes.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson said social workers had arrived at the property and saw dogs running about.

“No one seemed to be cleaning up after them,” he said.

Solicitor Cheryl McKnight, representing Ferguson, said he had been in hospital two weeks before the social workers’ visit.

“He does not seek to use this as an excuse,” she said.

“But he was struggling to cope at the time.”

The court heard the couple, whose home was listed in court papers as Strathtay Road, Perth, have since had their two dogs rehomed.