Glasgow woman faces jail after two-year-old took drugs while in her care

38 year old Claire Gallacher committed the crime at her home in Crookston in April 2020.

Glasgow Sheriff Court
Author: Collette McGoniglePublished 9th Dec 2022

A Glasgow woman who put a toddler's life in danger by causing them to consume drugs faces jail.

Claire Gallacher, 38, committed the crime at her home in Crookston in April 2020.

Court papers state Gallacher was in charge of the two-year-old girl at the time.

The charge says Gallacher wilfully exposed the child in a manner likely to cause her unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

It goes on to state this was done by "causing her to consume a quantity of benzodiazepines" - a sedative medication - to the danger of her life.

Gallacher pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the single charge.

It was confirmed that the charge had been reduced from the solemn sheriff and jury level to a summary sheriff only case.

The court also heard Gallacher has a schedule of previous convictions.

Sheriff Patricia Pryce told her: "I am quite sure your lawyer has told you the serious nature of this charge.

"It meets the custodial threshold."

Sentence was deferred pending background report until the new year.

Gallacher had her bail continued meantime.