A CHILD was left to fend for himself on the side of a busy road while the adult in charge of him sat down drunk.

The woman admitted being drunk in charge of a child under the age of seven years at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Henny Tatum, prosecuting, said: “It was 3.40pm when a witness called police to report concerns for a child in the care of the defendant, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol in St Botolph’s Street.

“At 4pm police searched the location and found the defendant sat on the wall by the YMCA in Magdalen Street.

“The child was running around on the pavement close to the kerb where buses and cars were driving past.”

Officers arrested the 46-year-old from Colchester.

She was taken to the police station and given a breathalyser test.

She reached a level of 133 mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath. The legal drink drive limit is 35mg.

Although there was no suggestion she was intending to drive, the limit is often used as an example of when a person may be impaired by alcohol.

Due to the high reading and a previous drink related offence, District Judge Susan Holdham ordered the probation service to carry out an assessment before the woman was sentenced.

The court heard the woman was “utterly ashamed” of her behaviour while in charge of the boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Colchester Court heard the woman has suffered traumatic events in her life in the past.

District Judge Holdham said: “I have looked at your GP notes and a history of things.

“I am going to deal with you by way of a community order.

“I think that will provide support for you.”

She received a six month community order with 20 days worth of rehabilitation activity.

She was also ordered to comply with a one month curfew at her home from 9pm to 6am every night.

The woman was also ordered to pay £170 in costs and charges which will be removed from her benefits.

The offence took place on October 9.