Haverfordwest magistrates heard yesterday (Thursday) that a woman from Liverpool is attempting to turn her life around after losing custody of her child following her arrest for being drunk in charge.

Rebecca Causer, then aged 19, was arrested at Castle Square, Haverfordwest, last October, by police officers who found her sitting on a bench in a drunken state with her 10 month old son in a pushchair.

Prosecutor Nick Newton told magistrates at about 10.30pm on October 10th a member of the public flagged down police concerned about the welfare of a child.

Officers found Causer smelling heavily of alcohol, her eyes were glazed and she was unsteady on her feet, the court heard. She was in a distressed state and asked to be left alone.

Mr Newton said that police did not think it appropriate to leave the baby with Causer and in the absence of any family to care for him, took them both to Haverfordwest police station.

He told the court that Causer, of Foxhill Close, Toxteth, was fully co-operative with police and admitted drinking. She told police that her partner was going on holiday without her and she had been extremely angry about this.

The court also heard that Causer had problems with depression.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb said that Causer, who had only been in Pembrokeshire for two weeks, had moved to the area to escape a violent relationship with her baby’s father.

“I am pleased to say that since I last saw her she has grown up a lot and doesn’t present as someone who is still an alcoholic. Her main goal is to be reunited with her son,” said Mr Webb.

Causer also admitted charges of failing to appear at a previous hearing while on bail.

Haverfordwest magistrates said they were encouraged by Mr Webb’s assertion that Causer has turned over a new leaf and issued a two year conditional discharge. A separate penalty was not imposed for failing to surrender. Causer also has to pay £35 court costs.