Jailed: Mother left children to fend for themselves in 'the utmost filth and squalor'
A mum who repeatedly left her children alone overnight, living in rancid and squalid conditions, has been jailed.
The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her children, had admitted three charges of child neglect when she appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
During the sentencing hearing statements were read from each of her three children about the conditions in which they were living – and the frequency with which their mother would leave them home alone, as she went to Birmingham to stay with her boyfriend.
The court heard that the mother was working very long hours - frequently from 10am until 10pm - with the children having to make their own way home from school.
The situation was discovered by a teacher when the youngest child was sick and was found to be home alone with no one to care for them.
One of the most distressing details came when it was explained that a dog locked in the woman's bedroom had died – but had not been discovered for two weeks.
Images shown to the court revealed rooms throughout the house piled deep in rubbish, soiled clothing and fabric, with food and animal faeces also found throughout the property by police when they discovered the situation.
Judge Peter Barrie said the children were "really fending for themselves" and heard how the back door to their home would remain unlocked – with their mother in possession of the only key.
The sink in the upstairs bathroom was filled with brown liquid, which a dog had been drinking.
