Drunk woman abandoned youngster

Oct 16 2009 by Lisa Boyle

A CHILD was left abandoned when the woman looking after her passed out in a pub toilet.

The 14-year-old girl went missing overnight after Jacqueline Gillespie got so drunk she neglected the youngster.

Gillespie took the schoolgirl shopping and to the fun fair before taking her to the Black Bull in Ayr’s River Street on May 24 this year.

While in the pub, Gillespie gave the girl two-and-a-half pints of beer.

The 38-year-old, who was well under the influence, then fell asleep in the loo.

When she woke up, the young girl had left and couldn’t be contacted.

At 11pm, Gillespie made her way to King Street police station and reported the young girl as a missing person.

She believed that the girl had left with a man who was in the pub.

At 1am the following morning, police attended at Gillespie’s house and found the child’s worried grandmother banging on her door asking her to come out.

Trying to diffuse the situation, police spoke to both the women.

But when they had words with Gillespie she became aggressive and lashed out at one of the officers, punching his arm and chest and continually attempting to punch him.

She was restrained and arrested.

The 14-year-old girl arrived home safe and well at 9am the following morning.

At Ayr Sheriff Court this week, Gillespie, of Fernbank Court in Prestwick, pleaded guilty to purchasing alcohol for a child and leaving her unattended in a licenced premises with people unknown to her.

Gillespie also admitted a further charge of police assault.

A defence lawyer for Gillespie said that she has a history of alcohol abuse and she is remorseful and embarrassed by her behaviour.

Sheriff Carole Cunningham sentenced Gillespie to 12 months’ probation with alcohol counselling and ordered her to carry out 180 hours of community service.