An Angus couple accused of putting three children in ice-cold baths have had their neglect trial put off because of childcare problems.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the man and woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were unable to guarantee attending a trial at the same time because they could not find carers for their family.
The pair, who appeared for trial on Tuesday, stand accused of neglecting their children under the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937.
They deny keeping one child at risk of injury in an ice-cold bath between July 29 2014 and March 1 2015, another between March 1 2015 and March 28 2015, and the woman is accused of keeping a third in the same conditions between March 28 2015 and March 27 2016.
The court heard the Crown had also been told child witnesses had indicated they would not attend proceedings on Tuesday, and Angus Council social workers had been involved.
Sheriff Alison McKay told their defence agents: “The bottom line is there is going to be a trial and they will have to make arrangements for childcare.
“We can’t have the situation where your clients effectively stop the trial from taking place.”
The trial was put off and fresh dates were fixed for August.
