Drunk man left baby in road

Patrick Talbot was so drunk he left a helpless baby alone on a busy city centre road. Talbot, 27, collapsed in a drunken heap as he pushed the baby’s pram across Newcastle’s busy Swan House roundabout.

Patrolling police sped to the scene in moments and arrested Talbot, of Linden, Low Fell, Gateshead, after witnessing his tumble.

Magistrates in Newcastle heard how Talbot had been pushing the pram with one hand and a bicycle with the other.



Rehana Haque, prosecuting, said: “He fell to the ground crossing the road at the junction with Mosley Street still in control of a pram. “His eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred.” Talbot was immediately arrested and taken to Pilgrim Street police station.

Police would not comment on the length of time Talbot and the baby, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were left in the road but it is thought to be extremely lucky the pair were spotted so soon.

Now, unemployed Talbot has been fined after pleading guilty to a charge of being drunk in charge of a child. Fining him £115, presiding magistrates Katherine Davies said responsibility for young children “must be taken seriously”.