A woman who tried to take a child from a Stirling nursery was told by a sentencing sheriff “we can’t have you turning up at nurseries whilst off your face”.
Hazel Kelbie, 39, was intoxicated when she turned up at the pre-school and asked for the child by name.
The Courier previously told how alert nursery staff foiled the attempt and contacted the child’s mother, who recognised Kelbie on their CCTV.
Kelbie, who had pretended to be someone called “Dianne” had fled and collapsed a short distance away.
Neither the nursery nor the child – who had actually already been collected by her mother – can be identified for legal reasons.
No memory of crime
At the city’s sheriff court last week, Kelbie’s defence agent Virgil Crawford said his client did not remember going to the nursery.
He said: “The matter is one that Miss Kelbie has no recollection of.
“It’s out of character.
“On CCTV – and the relevant bit was 40 seconds – it shows her in the foyer communicating with staff and then leaving.
“It was very short-lived.”
The court heard previously Kelbie had met the child before but was not related and in no way close to the family.
Sheriff praises staff
Sheriff Paul Ralph praised the nursery staff for foiling Kelbie’s attempt to remove the girl.
He said: “First of all, let me say that this is extremely concerning behaviour – you attended at a nursery and attempted to remove a child.
“You used the information you gathered about the child and were sufficiently committed that you used a false name.
“The staff are to be commended for their vigilance and efforts to block your attempt.
“You were so out of it you had no idea what you intended to do
“We can’t have you turning up at nurseries whilst off your face.”
Sentencing
Kelbie, whose address was given as Polmont YOI, admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by attending at the nursery while intoxicated and requesting to uplift the child in September last year
Sheriff Ralph placed her on a two-year supervision order and imposed 120 hours of unpaid work.
In addition Kelbie must undergo addiction and mental health counselling.
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