Young mum spared prison after leaving three children under five on their own for 12 hours in Milton Keynes

The woman cannot be named because the children involved must not be identified for their own legal protection.

She is further charged with beating one of the children in her care shortly before she left them.

Milton Keynes magistrates heard the offences happened in March last year, when three children, all aged five or under, were left on their own for more than 12 hours overnight.

The woman lied to her mother, paramedics and partner, saying the children were not there at the time, court documents state.

She pleaded guilty to assault by beating one of the children on March 28.

The woman further admitted assaulting/ill-treating/neglecting/abandoning a child to cause unnecessary suffering and or injury between March 28 and March 30 2020.

The charge read: "Being a person who had attained the age of 16 years, and having responsibility for (three) children under that age, namely 5 years , 2 years and 1 year, wilfully neglected (three children) in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering to the said children or injury to their health by leaving them uncared for overnight.

"This is contrary to section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933."

Magistrates imposed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was fined £200 for the offence of assaulting a child by beating was ordered to pay a £122 surcharge to fund victim services and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The woman must pay the £407 total at a rate of £40 a month, starting from February 10.

Court documents state: "Reasons for suspending is to allow her to work with Social Services and the Family Court."

They give the reason for this as: "Offence so serious. Reason for custody: 3 children under the age of 5 years old, left on their own for over 12 hours."

The defendant's guilty plea taken into account when imposing the sentence.