TWO addicts left their young children home alone in the middle of the night to score drugs in Swindon, a court heard.

The mother and father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were caught out by police on March 21 this year when they left the three youngsters alone again as they ventured into the town in need of a hit.

Swindon magistrates heard on Friday how concerns had been raised about the pair by neighbours on multiple occasions.

Prosecuting, Viv Thatcher said: “At around 1.10am, the police were outside an address in Marlborough.

"The reason was that they were given information that the children were regularly left unattended and their parents were going to Swindon in order to obtain drugs.

“The police waited outside and saw a vehicle leave the address with both parents in the car.

“After being stopped by police they confessed their children were at home unattended.”

The case was first put before Swindon Magistrates' Court on April 26 where the pair both pleaded guilty to causing neglect and/or abandonment of a child to cause unnecessary suffering.

It was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

The court heard from the defendant’s lawyer, Chris Albin, that social services have since intervened and the children are currently in the care of family members but both parents see them every day.

The pair have been using drugs for the last six to eight years and immediately after being arrested and charged, the mother sought help from Turning Point where she has now started a rehabilitative programme. The employed father is also getting support for his addiction.

Chairman of the magistrates Jonathan Chappell said: “This is quite a sad state of affairs where the welfare of your young children were put in jeopardy because of your decision to follow the path you were following.

“We read the pre-sentence report that included powerful statements from you both concerning the remorse you feel which seems to be part of a sequence of offences.

“There is a potential for a custodial sentence but we have acknowledged numerous things including the remorse, your compliance with social services since the offence and your motivation it seems to get rid of this past life and take this negative situation and turn it into something positive.”

The pair were both handed a 12-month community order each and must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days as well as getting help for their drug addiction.

They must both pay a victim surcharge of £85 each as well as court costs of £85 between them.