Jail warning for woman who abandoned children in Port Glasgow flat

Kelly Marie Sleith pleaded guilty seven weeks ago to the 'serious' offence but has failed to fully engage with social workers who are trying to prepare sentencing options.

Sleith, 39 - who left the school-aged youngsters in the squalid property with just £10, a few slices of bread and the clothes on their backs - has been told that her approach is 'completely unsatisfactory'.

She claimed last month that she had not received appointment letters due to her mail being dumped in a bin by a now-suspended Gourock postal worker.

However, information she provided to the social work department regarding her availability to be assessed for an electronic tag 'had nothing to do with not receiving letters', the latest calling of matters heard.

READ MORE: Sentencing delayed for woman who neglected children in squalid Port Glasgow flat

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said: "The position in relation to difficulties with the Royal Mail will not be accepted as an excuse next time by the court."

First offender Sleith, who is said to be 'anxious at the prospect of custody', was arrested in England in October 2021 more than a year after leaving the property - having stated that she was going to visit a friend south of the border and would be back within a week.

The sheriff court previously heard that police officers who attended the home noted an 'overpowering' stench and one of the bedrooms was 'inaccessible' due to 'copious' piles of rotten rubbish piled three or four feet high.

Piles of rubbish were stacked high in the disgusting Port property (Image: Crown Office)

There were no light bulbs in any of the rooms and just £2 was remaining on the electricity meter, while 'countless' fruit flies swarmed the home along with 'an uncountable number of dirty dishes' and a 'strong smell of decay'.

READ MORE: Abandoned children left with just £10 and bread in disgusting Port Glasgow flat

At Wednesday's hearing, Sheriff McGeehan said he was not prepared to deal with the case because of Sleith's approach to the social work department.

The court heard that a report described a 'concerning attitude towards engaging with social work, to the offence, and to the options available to the court for disposal'.

Addressing Sleith's solicitor, Marcell Horvath, the sheriff said: "The offence before the court is a serious one and the recommendation that your client has left the social worker with is not one I am prepared to follow.

Kelly Marie Sleith (Image: NQ)

"You should encourage Ms Sleith to cooperate with the social work to ensure the options are not limited."

Sheriff McGeehan told Sleith: "The offence is a concerning one but what is almost as concerning is your attitude towards the social work.

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"It is open to the court to send you to custody.

"Your approach towards engaging has been completely unsatisfactory.

"That has left them in a position of only being able to make a limited recommendation.

"Whether or not you received letters is not an excuse for the behaviour you adopted.

"If you want the court to consider an alternative to custody then you must cooperate."

The case was adjourned until November 29.