KENT WOMAN SLAPPED WITH COMMUNITY ORDER FOR DRINKING AND ENDANGERING CHILD AT STATION
A woman named Charlotte Symes, aged 27, from Sevenoaks, was condemned for being intoxicated while in charge of her young son in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.The incident occurred on July 20 at Tunbridge Wells railway station, where Symes attempted to board the platform with her son without a ticket, prompting station staff to alert the police.
Symes had consumed an entire bottle of wine by herself after her plans to share it with a friend fell through; her friend had canceled, and she continued drinking alone while her son played in a nearby park.
It was revealed during the court hearing that Symes had recently left an abusive relationship in which she developed a regular drinking habit.
She pleaded guilty to the charge of being drunk in charge of a child under seven.
Furthermore, she has a prior conviction from 2016 for the same offense.
Her behavior also included trying to board the train station platform unlawfully with her child, which caused alarm among staff.
The court was told that, after her detention, she was sentenced to a 12-month community order, six months of alcohol treatment, ten rehabilitation days, 100 hours of unpaid work, and a fine of £170.
During the proceedings, Symes expressed her hope that her child would eventually return to her, and it was noted that the child resides with her but is under the care of his grandmother at the same address.
Magistrate Lynda Jones commented that Symes clearly had an alcohol issue.
The case was reported by the Daily Mirror and Kent Live.
