Extra time for woman in toddler on roof case
Community Payback review
A Perth woman, spared jail after a child in her care wandered about unsupervised on the rooftop of a building, has been given an extra six months to complete her Community Payback Order.
Thirty-four-year-old Katherine Reeves, of Rannoch Road, sobbed in the dock last year when she was told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work as a “direct alternative” to a prison sentence.
She was also ordered to be supervised by a social worker for two years after Perth Sheriff Court was told that the youngster had diced with death as she soaked up the sun.
At a Community Payback Order review recently, lawyer Paul Ralph said: “She’s doing pretty well, all in all.”
The court heard previously that neighbours watched in horror as the toddler perched precariously on the edge of a 12-foot drop for several heart-stopping seconds.
The accused was said to “bitterly regret her foolish behaviour” after she allowed the child to play on the Rannoch Road rooftop on May 11,2016, with no perimeter protection.
Part of the charge which alleged the toddler was swung - and held over the edge of the roof - by an adult who was under the influence of alcohol, putting its health - and life - at serious risk of harm was deleted.
A former co-accused, 21-year-old Paul Mitchell, also of Rannoch Road, had his not guilty plea accepted to a charge of culpably and recklessly causing and encouraging the child to fetch stones from the edge of the unguarded rooftop.
That charge had also alleged that he held the child repeatedly over the edge of the roof and swung it by the shoulders, to the danger of its life,while he was under the influence of alcohol.
The court was told that she had climbed over a metrehigh railing to get access to the roof space.
When interviewed by police, she told them: “It was a stupid mistake.”
Solicitor David Holmes said that the incident had “ruined her life.”
He added: “She recognises her stupidity and it is something she will always regret.”
Sheriff Gillian Wade ordered a further review of her progress on the order for May 30 to check things were “remaining on track.” punishment Katherine Reeves was given six more months to complete her