Addict pushed pram with baby aboard right into the path of traffic

a drug addict pushed a baby girl’s pram into oncoming traffic.

a shocked driver swerved his car to avoid smashing into the seven- month- year- old baby’s pram being pushed by William Houston in ayr.

the 46- year- old was off his face and on his way to pick up methadone at a chemist when he staggered off the footpath onto busy 40mph John street.

Motorist alexander taylor who took evasive action was so worried about the child’s welfare he stopped the car.

He then gave the pair a lift to the toll pharmacy in ayr Road, prestwick to make sure the baby was safe. the frightening incident took place on February 17 at 10.30am, ayr sheriff Court heard last week.

Depute fiscal Jason Bell said: “the witness driving the vehicle noticed the accused on the foot path on John street pushing a pram looking unsteady. He stumbled out on to the roadway. the vehicle swerved to avoid a collision. the accused appeared highly intoxicated. they had difficulty making sense of him.”

Mr Bell said the motorist was “so concerned” they took him and the baby to the pharmacy. the fiscal said the pharmacist spoke to Houston who “appeared under the influence of something” and had “slurred speech.”

she called the police who also found him to be “incoherent and difficult to understand.”

the baby was taken to Crosshouse Hospital for a checkup but was unharmed. appearing in the dock, Houston, of Elba gardens, ayr, pled guilty to exposing the child in a manner likely to cause causing unnecessary suffering or injury to health and did while intoxicated become unresponsive to such an extent that he was incapable of caring for the child.

He admitted causing the pram to enter the roadway forcing Mr taylor to take action. sentencing has been adjourned for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.