An Arbroath woman was so intoxicated she was unable to care for a child under the age of 10, Forfar Sheriff Court has heard.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after being discovered drunk with the child by police officers at an address in Arbroath on February 7.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy told the court: “The accused was looking after a friend’s child.
“During the day she consumed alcohol with another friend. When the friend left she continued to drink.
“Later that day a member of the public flagged down a police car.
“Officers found the accused was bleeding from her face and the child was distressed and crying.
“The police took the child away and attempted to contact the child’s mother.
“This wasn’t possible and the child fell asleep at the police station.”
The woman also admitted assaulting a 12-year-old child by grabbing her by the hair and knocking her glasses from her face at an address in Arbroath on Boxing Day last year.
“At 5pm on the date in question the accused, along with a friend and the friend’s daughter, attended at Arbroath Police Station saying she wished to make a complaint about bullying,” the depute fiscal continued.
“On leaving the station the accused encountered the alleged bully in the street with her friends.
“The accused approached the 12-year-old and had the girl up against the wall and knocked the glasses from her face and also grabbed her hair.
“The accused shouted at her about the bullying she perceived as going on.
“The child went home and reported the matter and the police were called.”
Defence agent Lynne Sturrock said her client had been misusing alcohol when the offences had been committed and that she had since engaged with social workers and with the Drug and Alcohol Team.
Sheriff Gregor Murray sentenced her to 75 hours of unpaid work for the assault and a further 100 hours for being in charge of a child when drunk.
She has a year to complete the community payback order.