NICOLE STEWART SHOCKING CHILD NEGLECT IN RUTHERGLEN - SOUTH LANARKSHIRE

In April 2023, a disturbing case of child neglect involving Nicole Stewart, a 33-year-old woman from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, came to light. Stewart was found to have left four young children unattended overnight in a flat that was described as being in a deplorable state, lacking basic necessities such as food and water.

Authorities first responded to concerns on November 21, 2020, after the children made a distress call to emergency services, which turned out to be a false alarm. At that time, Stewart was at a hospital, and the children were left alone in the unsafe environment. The situation was revisited nearly a year later, in October 2021, when police officers returned to the same property following a noise complaint. Upon their visit, they discovered a scene that was equally appalling, with evidence of drug use and neglect.

The court proceedings detailed the appalling conditions in the flat. The children were described as unclean, lacking proper clothing or underwear, and had not been fed that morning. The flat itself was in a state of chaos, with decaying food in open bin bags and mold growing on plates. Police found plugged-in hair appliances, knives, scissors, and cleaning products within reach of the children, posing serious safety hazards. The entire property was characterized as being in a "state of disarray."

During the police entry into the kitchen, officers observed overflowing bin bags, a discarded bag of empty vodka bottles, and liquid spillage across the floor. An open cupboard was piled high with dirty laundry, which spilled onto the floor. Several open bottles of strong alcohol, including vodka, peach schnapps, and liqueur shots, were discarded on the kitchen counter. A rolled £10 banknote was also found, suggesting possible drug misuse at some point. The kitchen sink was clogged with dirty dishes, some covered in mold, indicating they had been left untouched for some time.

In one of the bedrooms, investigators noted the absence of a functioning light, and the bunks lacked adequate bedding. The room, where the children slept, was also described as smelling unpleasant. Stewart’s own bedroom contained plugged-in hair straighteners and a smashed mirror leaning against the wall. The floor was cluttered with a kitchen knife and a large amount of clothing, while the mattress was dirty, stained, and emitted a foul odor. The bathroom was similarly unclean, appearing to have been neglected for an extended period.

Stewart pleaded guilty to two charges of child neglect covering the period from November 19, 2020, to October 10, 2021, during a court session at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Despite the severity of the neglect, Sheriff Diana McConnell decided against imposing a jail sentence. Instead, she sentenced Stewart to 100 hours of unpaid community service. The sheriff emphasized the importance of reflection, stating, "You need to reflect on these criminal offences and the choices you have made. If you fail to comply with this order, you will be back to the beginning... this is a direct alternative."