Woman left children in squalor

A Perth woman who left two young children alone in squalor while she nipped out to the pub has been told her behaviour was “staggering” and “intolerable”.

Sorrell Carney was supposed to be looking after the youngsters but instead disappeared for hours to drink with friends.

A neighbour tipped-off the police who found the pair within a house so dirty and untidy a sheriff said it “sounded like a bomb had hit it”.

Illegal drugs were discovered within the 37-year-old’s bedroom by police officers who were so concerned by the state of the house, in Cumbrae Place, they called in social workers and even scenes of crime officers.

Perth Sheriff Court was told of carpets covered in rotting food, animal hair and mould, piles of toys, clothes and shoes and dirty dishes.

There was also an overpowering odour of cat urine together with uncleaned animal cages and overflowing litter trays.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said: “This is intolerable. It was a complete dereliction of your responsibility.”

Carney admitted wilfully neglecting two children on October 15 last year by leaving them alone for several hours in an unsafe environment.

She also admitted being in possession of cannabis.

Carney was placed on a community payback order requiring her to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.