UPDATE: Mother of baby born and left in amusement arcade toilet is spared jail

by
18th November 2015

Photo: Nevill Street (April 16 2015)

Judge Alan Conrad in Liverpool Crown Court sentenced Glover to eight months in prison which is suspended for 18 months after she pleaded guilty to child cruelty at an earlier hearing.

Glover was initially charged her with attempted murder but later did not get pursued with that charge.

Judge Conrad stated: “I must accept you did not intend to kill your baby. But I must also bear in mind that in abandoning baby April in the way you did you exposed her to the gravest risk. It was only due to the quick thinking of members of the public that she survived. To nurture a new baby is the most basic maternal instinct. What you did went completely against that.”

Glover claimed she had no idea she was pregnant and it was a “spontaneous birth.”

Anja Horwood is prosecuting as Charlotte Atherton represents the mother, Glover. Glover was taken to the dock and the case began.  Anja Horwood said Glover is a woman of good character. She has four children with an older child being adopted and living with her and her two young girls in Prescot. It was stated by Anja Horwood that said the father of the girls, including baby April, is currently in prison.

On 16th April, Glover’s family travel to Southport and stay overnight in a hotel. At around 5pm, Nicola Glover told her mother she needed to go to the toilet. Ms Horwood said: “She returned some time later and her mother noticed she had blood on her hands and her clothing. She said she had been on her period.”

Ms Horwood says her family had suspicions Glover had been pregnant, but she had denied it. Ms Horwood says the family returned to Prescot later that evening.

A mum who gave birth to a baby in an amusement arcade toilet has admitted child cruelty.

Nicola Glover, 30, gave birth in a disabled toilet at Silcock’s arcade on Nevill Street, Southport on April 16 2015.

The baby, named April by nurses at Ormskirk hospital, was later found in the toilet by staff.

Glover, of Hughes Avenue, Prescot, was found the next day after a widespread appeal.

She appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today where she pleaded guilty to child cruelty but denied a charge of attempted murder.

Prosecuting, Anya Horwood, said prosecutors had agreed to accept the plea and drop the attempted murder charge.

She said: “Great consideration has been given to this case in particular in light of a psychiatric report.

The court heard it will take six weeks for a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report to be compiled.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, set a sentencing date of October 7.

Baby April was ordered into the care of Sefton council. She was discharged from hospital and is said to be doing well.

End

 

Newborn Baby Found In Nevill Street Toilets Southport

The Emergency services were called to Flavours Ice cream bar today after a report of a baby being found in the toilets, Thursday 16 April 2015.

It is thought that the baby had been delivered in the toilets.

There was no sign of the baby’s mother, or anybody in connection with the newborn.

At this time we are unaware of the baby’s condition but a member of the public quoted: “The new born was taken to Ormskirk Children’s Hospital”.

Forensics are currently on scene and police officers are carrying out local searches on foot.

A police helicopter is carrying out searches for the mother.

 

A Neville Street Shop owner quoted:

“Police have been taking statements from the public, shop owners and workers to help with enquiries.

They have also requested CCTV to trace any footage to help with the incident.

It is a shock to us all.”

 

A member of the public quoted:

“This is terrible, so sad, heart goes out to the mother and hope she is found soon.”

 

Officers are now very keen to trace the April’s mother.

The birth appears to have been unsupervised so the woman may need medical help.

Detective Inspector Mike Dalton, said: “Our primary concern is for the health of the girl’s mother. She is not in any trouble.

“I would urge April’s mother to urgently come forward or at least seek treatment, as she could suffer medical complications which are potentially very dangerous.

“Please make contact with Ormskirk Hospital as soon as possible, if you are outside the area please get in touch with a medical professional. In an emergency always call 999.

“You are not in trouble, we need to get you back together with your daughter.

“Anyone who may have seem anything suspicious in the arcade around this time that in hindsight seems suspicious or anyone that is be able to help us locate the mother is asked to contact officers on 0151 777 3835 or by calling 999.”

Enquiries are on-going in the area to trace the mother.

A 24-hour phone line has been set up by the hospital, in order for the mother to make contact. That number is 01695 656 922.

OTSnews will provide further information when Merseyside police release more information.

 

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