AN Alexandria woman who left a child in squalid conditions has appeared in court.

The 28-year-old previously pleaded guilty to wilfully exposing the child – then aged five – in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury on February 26 this year.

Conditions in the house included open containers of alcohol, bedding soaked in urine, and soiled nappies and sanitary towels were on display and accessible to the child.

The kitchen floor was covered in dog faeces and urine.

In a separate charge, the woman admitted failing to ensure that the needs of a dog at the property were met by failing to provide a suitable environment for the animal between November 1 last year, and February 26 this year.

The animal was confined to the kitchen and no water was provided.

There were no clear or clean areas for the dog to lie down on the kitchen floor, which was strewn with faeces and domestic rubbish.

Scott Adair, defending, said his client had been of good behaviour since the case had last called.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told the woman: “The word nadir means the lowest point in someone’s life.

“I have much hope for everyone’s sake that November last year to February this year was the lowest point and you will never be back in that situation again.” The woman was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and placed under supervision for a year.

She was admonished in relation to the animal charge, but Sheriff Hendry banned her from keeping pets for five years.