09 March,2014 09:27 AM IST | | Agencies
The 26-year-old gave the girl a quarter bottle of the liquid during a sleepover. She claims child's mother gave her permission
Falkirk: An irresponsible babysitter, Hazel Aitchison, went to a shop and bought a quarter bottle of vodka and gave it to a 12-year-old girl she was babysitting. On being quizzed by the cops, her reply was: "I only did it once."
The babysitter told the court, "I only did it once."
She even claimed in court that the girl's mother had given her permission. The 26-year-old who is pregnant and due to give birth in April, has been criticised by shocked health officials, who have raised alarm on the dangers of administering booze at such a young age.
Michael Matheson, a public health minister in Scotland, said, "It is extremely irresponsible for any adult to purchase alcohol for someone who is so young. Alcohol can cause serious damage to a young person's health. Such actions are simply unacceptable."
Adrian Fraser, the prosecutor, told Falkirk Sheriff Court that Aitchison had been looking after a group of schoolgirls. "She allowed the youngsters to consume the alcohol too," he added. Aitchison admitted at a previous hearing that she purchased alcohol for a 12-year-old child in her care at her home in Camelon, Falkirk.
