Emily Harbour from Fleetwood Close in Newbury, has narrowly escaped jail, after leaving her children, 2 boys aged 4 and 14 months ‘Home alone’ amongst excrement and rotting food.
Ms Harbour aged 22 admitted two counts of wilful abandonment and two counts of wilful neglect on July 5th this year. Newbury magistrates imposed a six month jail sentence suspended for 2 years on Thursday (July 28th).
Concern had previously been raised by the children’s GP surgery because health visitors had been unable to gain access to the children.
Ms Harbour is allegedly receiving in excess of £10,000 per annum in various benefits, in addition to accommodation provided by a local housing association.
This case has been reported in the national press and the Daily Mail sent a reporter and a photographer along to the court.
Young mum living below the povery line and with little parenting skills, getting no help from family (obviously - since the conditions came as a shock to them) lax professional bodies (although they knew as far back as 2007 there were problems - they did nowt) goes walkabout for 90 min.
What do we think is a fitting punishment here?
Locking her up at a doubtless huge increase in costs to the taxpayer?
Crucifixion?
Burn the Witch!
Apart from this girl, who now has a prison stretch hanging over her, can we think of any others associated with this case who should be shouted at for failing in their parenting, paternal or professional duties?
I think having her name spread across the 'National Bigot' will be 'punishment' enough, but perhaps this person, her family and boyfriend, have no shame?
Not just parenting skills lacking in the younger generation.
I recently witnessed a 16 year old in a local catering establishment who had to be taught how to use a broom to sweep up. Before this she was holding the broom handle in a vertical position instead of at an angle. I would have thought basic intelligence would have made her realise that this was not correct.
Not just parenting skills lacking in the younger generation. I recently witnessed a 16 year old in a local catering establishment who had to be taught how to use a broom to sweep up. Before this she was holding the broom handle in a vertical position instead of at an angle. I would have thought basic intelligence would have made her realise that this was not correct.
I know some old people who can't use a computer...how thick is that!
OT: this is an example how being a single parent in an association house can back-fire.
There are a few considerations here according to the Mail report which might have set some alarm bells ringing. Firstly, the health visitor had been unable to visit the children since they were a few months old. Social services had been called once before in 2007 for a similar abandonment, albeit with a fifteen year old babysitter in the house. There was no running water in the house. If it had been cut off by Thames Water, why had they not at least informed the Housing Associaton or social services. She stated that the house had been broken into five weeks earlier but had the police attended or was this a lie. Her statement suggested she was being evicted shortly. If this was so, why had the Housing Asscotiation not reported that to Social Services as there were children involved, or was this another lie. The financial input of £900 per month from the taxpayer and the fact that she was living in a three bedroom house seems to me that if she was below the poverty line and she can still afford her fags, judging by the photograph, why was the father of the children also not in court for failing to support his offspring and why had the benefits people not asked the same question.
Sad when this happens, especially when it's on your doorstep.
Spare the sympathy. She's a 22 year old adult, it's not societies fault, the grandparents fault, social services fault etc etc. It's HER fault - she should have been banged up - end of !
Spare the sympathy. She's a 22 year old adult, it's not societies fault, the grandparents fault, social services fault etc etc. It's HER fault - she should have been banged up - end of !
How come if someone crashes into bollards it's their fault, but if someone neglects their children it is society's. Utter rubbish. People are responsible for their cars, but not for their children?
How come if someone crashes into bollards it's their fault, but if someone neglects their children it is society's. Utter rubbish. People are responsible for their cars, but not for their children?
How come if someone crashes into bollards it's their fault, but if someone neglects their children it is society's. Utter rubbish. People are responsible for their cars, but not for their children?
So that includes her parents being responsible for her then? ( you see, you can't have it both ways)
I really don't know why some people are basing reactionary views on an as yet unsubstantiated story in the Daily Hate.
Although I do notice that not one of them has come up with a length of prison sentence that would make her parenting skills better. Few have asked, where was the Father? Wasn't he guilty of some neglect...especially as she has previous on this. So did knowing their daughter had a lack of skills make her parents call in from time to time? (clearly not).
This those children have clearly needed help for some years.
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