A HELENSBURGH woman’s drunken behaviour was branded “disgraceful” and “utterly shameful” after she wilfully ill-treated two young children.

Karen Surgenor, 34, also left an oven on, forgot to tend to it, repeatedly swore at one of the children, made derogatory remarks to them and caused the child distress.

Surgenor, who lives at an address in Helensburgh, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, April 18.

Sentence was deferred for background reports.

She previously admitted wilfully ill-treating two children, who are both aged under 10-years-old, at a property in Helensburgh on December 8 last year and exposing the children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering, or injury to health.

She also admitted, while being in the sole care of the children, consuming alcohol or other substances to the point where she was intoxicated, unable to stand ably unaided and unable to care appropriately for the said children and did commence cooking with an oven and repeatedly fail to remember that she had placed food in the oven, which had been switched on.

Surgenor also admitted repeatedly swearing and uttering derogatory remarks about, and to, one of the children, causing them distress, and inciting the other to conduct themself in that manner also.

Surgenor’s defence solicitor told Sheriff William Gallacher the accused had been “very co-operative” with the author of the background report and had “engaged” with them.

The defence solicitor added: “She [Surgenor] had a relapse in February but since then she has not drank at all. She is determined to co-operate.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said: “This is a hideous offence and utterly unacceptable behaviour.

“The question is what do I do?” [with her].

Turning to Surgenor, Sheriff Gallacher said: “Your behaviour on December 8 was disgraceful and utterly shameful.

“You put yourself in this situation, it was a situation created by you and brought about by you.

“You were not able to care for these children properly. And as far as alcohol is concerned I am told you are doing something about it, that’s long overdue.”

Surgenor was placed on a supervision order which will run for the next 15 months and she must attend alcohol treatment meetings during that time.

The case will call again on Tuesday, June 13.