A woman has been charged after three children were ‘found living in horrific conditions’.
Police investigating a stabbing in Swindon followed a blood trail back to a block of flats – and discovered much more than they bargained for.
Officers found visible signs of disorder at one of the flats, with the door broken off its hinges and blood visible.
They entered the address – where three young children reside – to find an “incredibly messy house”, Swindon Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday (17 January).
Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said that the officers “could hardly walk” due to items covering the floor. Two knives, one of which was a meat cleaver, were also located on the floor.
It’s alleged that two of the children were sleeping on a single stained and dirty mattress and living on cereal, sweets and occasionally grapes.
Ms Lambert said the older of the three children was like a “little mum”, and has given a statement to police. She told officers that her mother liked drinking alcohol and there were always strangers in the house.
A woman, aged in her 30s, has been charged with child cruelty – namely wilfully assaulting, ill- treating, neglecting, abandoning, or exposing that child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
The defendant, who denies the offences, cannot be named due to an anonymity order protecting the identities of the children involved.
District Judge Joanna Dickens sent the case to Swindon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing next month.
It’s understood the children are currently in the care of social services.
