A CRUEL mum left her 18-month-old toddler home alone for 15 hours so she could go out partying in Swansea.

Social workers discovered the baby suffering with a sore bottom during a surprise visit, and found him abandoned in a filthy nappy.

His mum was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and she was ordered to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity.

A judge told the woman – who can’t be identified for legal reasons – that leaving her son in such a state was “hugely reprehensible” and “goes against the instinct of any caring mother”.

Prosecutor Catherine Richards told Swansea Crown Court today that the mum lived alone with the boy after a care order had been made following a violent relationship with her ex, the baby's dad, reports Wales Online.

Social workers made a surprise visit as the mum hadn't turned up to an appointment in April 2018.

After the property's landlord helped them enter the house, they found the baby in a cot, alone.

Ms Richards told the court: "He was heavily soiled and his bottom was sore.

"There was no sign of the defendant. What was clear was she was having contact with her former partner, as there was evidence of a personalised cake.

"It became clear the defendant went out with friends and her former partner, and left her son home alone."

The court was told that the woman was involved in a collision that evening, when a car in which she was a passenger crashed into a wall.

Although the mum attempted to escape, cops tracked her down and arrested her – but she gave a false identity.

'ASTONISHING'

Mitigating, Jon Tarrant said that the woman had made a "serious error of judgement".

He added: "She has now lost her son who has gone to adopted parents and it will remain that way.

"She has made a very immature, selfish and deplorable decision."

The woman pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child under 16 and intending to pervert the course of justice.

Judge Geraint Walters told her: "You've admitted an offence of cruelty to a then 18-month-old by abandoning the child.

"You left him alone, unattended, at your home for 15 hours while you were out socialising in the city centre of Swansea. It beggars belief."

The judge added: "Social workers entered your home due to your failure to attend a pre-arranged appointment with them.

"You have a long relationship with social workers due to your violent relationship with the child's father and a care order was already in force.

"The local authority allowed your child to stay with you as long as you didn't associate with the child's father, which is something you would lie about to them."

Although she could have told cops, during her arrest after the crash, that her son was unattended at home "and reduce the risk of harm" to the baby, her "priority was to save your own skin", the judge said.

He went on: "Your son will be put in the permanent care with the view of being adopted. You have a new partner, and a new child and it seems life has moved on.

"I understand social services are involved with you and working closely with you.

"You had no business being out socialising when you had a child at home – no business at all. I find it astonishing."

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