Callous drug addict abandoned nine-year-old boy who was scared of the dark in the woods for 24 hours where he suffered brain injuries that left him in hospital for months: Woman, 31, faces jail
A drug addict left a terrified boy in a deserted forest and then tried to cover her tracks by claiming the child was missing.
Ashley McGovern drove the nine-year-old to the dark countryside near her then home in East Lothian and left the boy to fend for himself.
A major search involving 80 police officers, the helicopter and mountain rescue and coastguard teams was launched after the 31-year-old lied that the boy had disappeared while picking up his bike.
He was only discovered 24 hours later without shoes and socks on when a dog walker happened to hear him crying.
The victim was severely affected by his ordeal and suffered brain damage, among other things.
Evidence of cocaine and alcohol in his system suggested he had been exposed to the substances before being taken to the woods.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that he had to spend more than four months in hospital for extensive rehabilitation and is likely to have permanent weakness on his right side.
Ashley McGovern left a terrified boy in a deserted forest and then tried to cover her tracks by claiming the child was missing. She is pictured here at the High Court in Glasgow, where she yesterday pleaded guilty to child abuse
The victim was severely affected by his ordeal and suffered brain damage, among other things. The court heard McGovern was a ‘heavy’ cocaine user. Pictured: Glasgow High Court
Ashley McGovern drove the nine-year-old into the dark countryside near her then home in East Lothian
The callous drug addict then left the terrified youngster to fend for himself in the dark forest
McGovern pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of willfully neglecting the boy because of his serious injury, permanent impairment and the danger to his life.
She was initially charged with attempted murder, alleging he was repeatedly struck in the neck and body with a knife.
Prosecutor Alan Cameron QC said the sun was setting when the boy was abandoned on September 9, 2022. He added: ‘The boy was known to be afraid of the dark.’
McGovern later told her father that the youngster was ‘missing’ and a ‘major search operation’ was launched.
The court ruled that she was a ‘heavy’ cocaine user.
John Scullion, QC, defended: ‘There have been problems in her life, particularly her drug abuse. She has taken steps to address that issue.”
He asked McGovern, recently of Haddington, East Lothian, to remain on bail ahead of sentencing but Lord Young had her remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on December 19.