A BOY aged just four was rushed to hospital after taking cocaine at the family home, it has been revealed.

The youngster was rushed to Southampton General Hospital after swallowing the drug.

The drama happened after the boy’s mother found her son unwell at the house in the Eastleigh area.

The incident was revealed as the child’s parents appeared in court facing neglect charges.

And the court heard the child could have died after finding the class-A drug in a bag at the home.

READ MORE:

Southampton Magistrates’ Court was told the cocaine had been left on a bed in the house by the father of the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

But when the mother realised what had happened, she rushed her son to hospital where he was kept overnight.

A doctor’s report read out in court revealed the toddler suffered hallucinations after swallowing the drug.

He was released the following day with “no lasting signs” of the incident, according to the report – which recorded the presence of cocaine in the child’s urine.

The court heard how, since the incident, which happened between February 14 and 21 last year, the father had given up cocaine and cannabis.

Prosecutors also revealed the 30-year-old berated himself over the incident in a police interview after being arrested.

Daily Echo: Southampton Magistrates Court

He told officers: “I think it’s disgusting, it’s despicable. When I think about what could have happened I’m so ashamed about it.”

Defending the father, solicitor Will Day said: “He was scared about what could have happened. He has let his son down massively.”

Representing the mother, solicitor Barry Keel said she was “remorseful” about the incident.

He added that the 25-year-old had cooperated with social services – who said there was no long-term abuse, and that they had “no other concerns”.

District Judge Anthony Calloway slammed the father for his “reckless” behaviour, and said the child “could have died”.

But he added the mother did “all she possibly could” to get help for her son.

Judge Calloway said: “What I find difficult is that drugs are a scourge on so many people’s lives. In this case they affected a child.”

He told the father: “You brought these drugs to the house for your own purposes and you didn’t give any thought at all to your children who may be in the vicinity of these activities.

READ: Injured woman found after police launched urgent search >>>

“It’s been said before how serious a case this is – neglect of a child who could have died.

“Drugs should not be part of a child’s life. Courts need to do what they can to protect people in vulnerable positions.”

Both mother and father – who co-parent but are not in a relationship – pleaded guilty to neglecting the boy.

The father’s actions were “so grave” Judge Calloway gave him three months in prison, of which he will serve half.

He handed the mother a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation order of 15 days.