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Mother jailed after death of baby Mother jailed after death of baby
(about 1 hour later)
A mother whose six-week-old baby died after she took her to bed with her following a 14-hour drink and drug session has been jailed for 12 weeks.A mother whose six-week-old baby died after she took her to bed with her following a 14-hour drink and drug session has been jailed for 12 weeks.
Rebecca Ireland, 24, pleaded guilty to child neglect at an earlier hearing at Preston Crown Court.Rebecca Ireland, 24, pleaded guilty to child neglect at an earlier hearing at Preston Crown Court.
She admitted drinking and taking cocaine and ecstasy before taking baby Katie to bed with her in April 2008.She admitted drinking and taking cocaine and ecstasy before taking baby Katie to bed with her in April 2008.
Ireland, of Kensington Road, Morecambe, Lancashire, found Katie not breathing beside her the following morning.Ireland, of Kensington Road, Morecambe, Lancashire, found Katie not breathing beside her the following morning.
The baby was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead.The baby was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead.
Tests on Ireland revealed traces of ecstasy and cocaine, as well as a blood alcohol level of 220 micrograms, just under three times the legal drink drive limit, the court heard.Tests on Ireland revealed traces of ecstasy and cocaine, as well as a blood alcohol level of 220 micrograms, just under three times the legal drink drive limit, the court heard.
'Silly selfishness''Silly selfishness'
Julie Taylor, prosecuting, told the court Ireland was "tired and wanted some respite" from her new baby.Julie Taylor, prosecuting, told the court Ireland was "tired and wanted some respite" from her new baby.
She added: "The defendant, through her drinking and negligence, created a risk to Katie." The court heard Ireland's friend agreed to babysit Katie on 10 April last year. Ireland took two ecstasy tablets that day.
At 8am the next day, she asked the babysitter to look after Katie again that night.
Ireland started drinking and taking drugs. By 10am, she had had a can of lager at a friend's home. She drank another three cans of lager before they bought two crates of Carlsberg beer.
Society takes a very serious view of people who neglect very young children or who cause them harm Judge Stuart Baker
The pair drank steadily and Ireland took cocaine, before texting the babysitter at 8pm to say she wanted Katie back because she was missing her.
Despite the fact the babysitter said she had no petrol in her car and her own children were in bed, Ireland sent her a short text message which said: "Bring her back now."
Ireland and Katie returned home after midnight. A friend had to help her put the key in the door because she was so drunk.
Ireland recalled feeding her daughter at around 3.30am and then fell asleep.
Ms Taylor added: "The defendant, through her drinking and negligence, created a risk to Katie."
She said the child could easily have been placed in the cot next to her mother's bed, which had an alarm attached in case she suffered breathing difficulties.She said the child could easily have been placed in the cot next to her mother's bed, which had an alarm attached in case she suffered breathing difficulties.
Medical experts were unable to agree on Katie's cause of death - the prosecution's expert said she suffocated, but the defence expert suggested she may have been a cot death victim.
This case highlights the significant dangers and consequences of falling asleep with your baby in bed with you Det Sgt Paul Hickey
Beverley Hackett, defending, said: "Can I say on behalf of Miss Ireland that she is utterly, utterly ashamed and broken by what has happened."Beverley Hackett, defending, said: "Can I say on behalf of Miss Ireland that she is utterly, utterly ashamed and broken by what has happened."
Judge Stuart Baker told Ireland she was guilty of "silly selfishness." She told the court Ireland was raised by foster parents and "difficulties arose" when she tried to contact her birth family.
Judge Stuart Baker told Ireland she was guilty of "silly selfishness".
He said her failure to put Katie into her cot could not be proved to have caused her death but did indicate the level of her culpability in neglecting her daughter.He said her failure to put Katie into her cot could not be proved to have caused her death but did indicate the level of her culpability in neglecting her daughter.
The judge added: "Society takes a very serious view of people who neglect very young children or who cause them harm."The judge added: "Society takes a very serious view of people who neglect very young children or who cause them harm."
Ireland wept and shouted "Mum" to her foster parent as she was led away.
Det Sgt Paul Hickey, from Lancashire Police, said: "This case highlights the significant dangers and consequences of falling asleep with your baby in bed with you, especially if you are under the influence of alcohol or recreational/prescribed drugs."