A mum has been sentenced for child neglect after being found in a drug-induced “stupor” at her Brighouse home.

The 33-year-old mum-of-four left a syringe containing heroin on a table and Class A drugs on a mantelpiece while her five-year-old son was downstairs.

Two older children were upstairs when a social worker called in August 2012 and it was the five-year-old child who had to let her in.

At a previous hearing before the Recorder of Bradford Judge Roger Thomas QC the woman admitted child neglect in relation to her son and possessing small quantities of heroin and cocaine.

At a sentencing hearing at Bradford Crown Court Judge Thomas said the woman had struggled to take proper care of her children and they had been taken from her following another drug-related incident in 2008.

The baby boy was admitted to hospital where tests showed that he had consumed methadone.

It is understood the children were returned to their mother in 2010, but they were again taken away temporarily prior to the latest incident in 2012.

Prosecutor Caroline Wigin confirmed that all the defendant’s children had been removed from her and it was not envisaged that they would be living with her again.

The judge said the mother was in a stupor, with drugs lying about the house.

“None of the children were in fact hurt but they were clearly exposed to an unsatisfactory position. You’re a classic example of how somebody's life can literally be ruined by drugs misuse”, as he issued a 12-month community order which included a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.