A WOMAN found drunk in charge of a child in the centre of Southampton has been handed a 12-month community order.

Carmel Betteridge was staggering and slurring her words when police officers approached her and the child as they sat on a bench in Vincent’s Walk, Southampton.

Betteridge, 29, denied being drunk in charge of a child but was found guilty following a trial at Southampton Magistrates' Court on February 20.

Prosecutor Liam Hunter said police were called to Vincent’s Walk at around 8.30pm on August 28 last year following calls from concerned members of the public.

Two police officers, PC Ben Hitchins and PC Martin Parker, approached Betteridge, whose breath smelt of alcohol. The defendant was uncooperative and slurring her words, the court was told.

PC Hitchins said: “She was aggressive she kept repeating herself.

“She was saying things like ‘I can’t give you my name’ and ‘I’m not going to give you my name’.”

Footage from PC Parker's body-worn camera showed Betteridge telling the officers she was sober and fit to look after the child.

The defendant admitted having a drink but denied being drunk.

Betteridge, of Ennerdale Road in Southampton, also rejected claims she was stumbling, putting her movements down to clumsiness. She also claimed the stress of dealing with police had interfered with her speech.

After hearing the evidence District Judge Peter Greenfield found her guilty.

He told her: “I’ve seen the body-worn camera footage, which seems to show you were intoxicated. I’ve also listened to the officers, who say you were drunk that night.”

Judge Greenfield ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until yesterday.

When the hearing resumed prosecutor Rhys Evans said police were called to the Sussex Road area, where they found a drunken woman with a child.

He added: "The woman appeared to be very much in drink. She had been sick and had fallen over a number of times.

"Before that she was a lady of good character with no previous convictions."

After reading the report Judge Greenfield told her: "You have got a lot on your plate."

As well as being given a community order Betteridge was told to pay a victim services surcharge of £85 and was also made the subject of a curfew. She will have to stay at home between 8pm and 8am every day for the next three months.

As she prepared to leave the court Judge Greenfield told her: "I wish you well."