Babysitter 'thanked' with drugs

Kaney pleaded guilty to supplying the drug to the young girl

A woman who gave speed to her 14-year-old babysitter as a "thank you" has been placed on probation for two years.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard how Julie Ann Kaney, 33, got the schoolgirl to lick the class-B drug as a reward for looking after young children.

The teenage girl had initially refused to take the powder but Kaney "kept on at her" until she took it.

Kaney admitting supplying the drug in June last year. The sheriff said he would monitor her progress.

The court was told that after offering the girl a small amount, Kaney had emptied a £10 bag of the drug into the girl's hand and instructed her to lick it.

Sheriff William Gallacher made the interim order placing Kaney on probation but also set a special sentencing hearing for mid-November to review her progress.

The girl said no, but the accused kept on at her until she said she would take some Catriona Steele Fiscal depute

He told her that if she was doing well on probation, he would spare her jail.

The sheriff said: "The charge you pled guilty to is very serious indeed. To be involved in the supply of drugs to a child is a very serious matter and you should be under no illusions that I am considering custody for it.

"But it is up to you. If when you come back to court in November you have complied with the order, then I will consider community service."

'No illusions'

Catriona Steele, prosecuting, said the case came to light after the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, looked after children at an address in Milton Gardens in Stirling.

The depute fiscal said: "The accused and her sister left the house but returned earlier than expected.

"The accused went into her purse and took out a small, clear bag containing a white powder.

"She told the girl it was 'speed' and asked her if she wanted some.

"The girl said no, but the accused kept on at her until she said she would take some."

The girl later told her sister what had happened, who then told their father who contacted police.

When interviewed, Kaney admitted possessing the drug which she bought in £10 bags.

Kaney, of Mayfield Court, Stirling, pleaded guilty to supplying amphetamine to the girl on one occasion between June 1 and June 30 last year.

Defence solicitor Frazer McCready said his client was "under no illusions" that if she did not comply with the probation order, she would be going straight to Cornton Vale.