A TEN year old girl was found lying in her own vomit after drinking fortified wine bought by her mother’s friend. 

Stephanie Hegarty, of Beresford Lane, bought alcohol from the Drinks Cellar at Burns Statue Square on Saturday, February 4. 

Later on, her friend’s daughter was at Hegarty’s home with her 13-year-old friend. She became ill after she drank some of the alcohol she had purchased. 

The 30-year-old appeared before Sheriff Leslie at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

The court heard that the 10-year-old child’s mother was a friend of the accused and on the day of the incident, the child was staying at her father’s with her 13-year-old friend.

Procurator Fiscal, Mr McLean, said: “The child was staying at her father’s house and on that Saturday, herself and her friend went into town and she was told by her father to be home no later than 5.30pm.

“However, there was difficulty getting through to the 10-year-old once it reached 5.30pm.

“She was at the accused’s flat on Beresford Lane with her friend.

“Her mother was not happy because when she tried to call her daughters mobile phone, the call was cancelled. She also tried to call the accused's phone but this was cancelled too.

“The 10-year-old’s mother contacted one of her other friends to go to the flat.

“This friend called to tell her that she got the girls.

“The 10-year-old was found on the floor, wet with vomit.

“She had consumed half a bottle of Mad Dog and half a bottle of Echo Falls wine.”

“The accused was found to be sleeping in the bedroom.

“The girls were taken back to the father’s home and the police were contacted.”

It was claimed that the 13-year-old did not drink any alcohol and Hegarty appeared to be under the influence as the bottle of Mad Dog and the bottle of Echo Falls were found empty in the flat.

Mr McLean continued: “CCTV footage showed the accused with the girls at the Drinks Cellar at 3.25pm, buying the alcohol."

Speaking on behalf of his client, defence solicitor, Mr Lockhart said: “The accused knew the child’s mother and the children seemed to make way to the accused's flat from the town centre.

“Ms Hegarty was already intoxicated when the children arrived and she was intoxicated when they went to the Drinks Cellar.

“She accepts what she has done and regrets her behaviour as she has a child herself.

“I would suggest a Community Payback Order with supervision and for the court to review this in three months time.

“She has asked me to say she apologises profusely for her behaviour.”

Sheriff Leslie issued Hegarty with a Community Payback Order as an alternative to custody as well as a restriction of liberty.

The sheriff said: “The one thing that stops you from going to jail is your son and if it wasn’t for him, you would be going to jail.

“I cannot tell you the gravity of this offence.

“I am going to give you a Community Payback Order with 18 months supervision and you will do 100 hours of unpaid work.

“I am also giving you a Restriction of Liberty Order for three months between the hours of 7pm and 7am.”