SpindriftA couple kept two children in a dirty flat strewn with animal waste and insects on the bedding.
Christopher Beevers, 33, and Morgan Neil, 26, cared for two children at their property in Glasgow’s Shettleston.
The pair’s home was found to have urine on the floor, sodden mattresses as well as thick mould on the windows and walls.
A court was told that the property was “unkempt, unhygienic and in a general state of disarray.”
Beevers and Neil pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a charge of wilful neglect.
The charge spans from September 9 to October 4, 2024.
The hearing was told that the elder boy was initially found alone at the property.
Police attended and initially smelled urine coming from it.
Entry was forced, and Beevers was found inside, who stated that he did not want to answer the door.
Officers found a full cat litter tray in the kitchen as well as several dirty nappies on the ground.
A number of unwashed dishes were found piled up on the countertop.
A written narrative of the facts stated: “Rotten food and mould could be seen on the oven and countertops.
“Police also observed piles of rubbish bags in the property, clothing was piled high on the floor and countertops which appeared dirty and unwashed.
“The bathroom was unsanitary and unclean in the opinion of the officers.
“It was not suitable for people to use for personal hygiene.”
A bedroom was found to contain a single bunkbed with the mattresses “sodden” with urine and sheets not changed in “some time.”
The narrative said: “Police observed small brown insects on the bedding as well as thick black mould along the windows and walls.”
The hearing was further informed that there was a large number of bluebottle flies in the property.
It was stated: “There was an unnecessary and mitigatable health risk for young children living in the property.”
Beevers and Neil were “extremely dismissive” towards the officers and did not appear to be concerned.
Beevers claimed that the animal mess was a result of their dog being “unwell”.
However, it was the opinion of the officers that the mess had been there for “some time with no effort to clean”.
The hearing was told that the children did appear “safe and well”.
Paul Langan, defending Beevers, told the court: “It must have been horrible and my client recognises that now.
“He recognises that it was poor and has responsibility.”
Bob McDowall, defending Neil, told the hearing that his client had poor mental health at the time of the incident.
Sheriff Joanna McDonald ordered Beevers to do 120 hours of unpaid work and put him under supervision for 18 months.
Neil was placed on a structured deferred sentence and will appear again at court in August this year.
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