The mum who abandoned baby April in a Southport amusement arcade toilet was today spared a jail sentence.
But should the 30-year-old, who pleaded guilty to child cruelty, have been put behind bars?
Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, Nicola Glover faced a maximum of 10 years in jail.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Glover, of Hughes Avenue, Prescot, suddenly and unexpectedly went into labour at Silcock’s arcade in the town centre while on a family day out on April 16.
She was first charged with attempted murder but this was later downgraded.
Judge Alan Conrad, QC, sentenced Glover to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Photo issued by Merseyside Police of newborn baby April, as Nicola Glover, 30, who gave birth in an amusement arcade toilet before abandoning her has been spared an immediate prison sentence. Merseyside Police/PA Wire
Speaking after she was sentenced, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was necessary to balance justice with compassion.
Alison Mutch, deputy chief crown prosecutor for Merseyside and Cheshire, said: “It has been important to strike a balance between prosecuting Ms Glover but also showing compassion and we feel that very difficult balance has been struck.
“She will no doubt regret the actions of that day for many years to come.”
The judge said it was only due to quick-thinking of members of the public who discovered the baby, who is now in care, that she survived.
“Abandoning baby April in the way you did exposed her to the gravest risk,” he added.
A psychiatrist’s report said Glover was overwhelmed with auditory hallucinations – false perceptions of sound – after the birth, which drove her to abandon the child.
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Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/