A MOTHER got so drunk that she left her three children alone in the house thinking her husband was there, a court heard today.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identities of her children, admitted charges of abandoning the six, four and 1-year-old on May 12 this year.

The court heard that following an argument with her husband, he was taken to his sisters, leaving the mother, who had been drinking, alone with the children.

Prosecuting, Vyvyan Thatcher, said the defendant had been drinking heavily and forgotten her husband had left the property hours earlier.

“There was a call from the defendant at around 3.40am, she sounded drunk. The husband went to his sister’s house," he said.

“At 6.45am a neighbour saw the children screaming and crying in the garden and the defendant was nowhere to be seen.

“The defendant made a full and frank admission, she had been drinking and left the kids and she thought that they were with her husband. She can’t remember where she went."

Defending, Lorna Bennett said her client had anxiety and depression issues, and was genuinely remorseful.

“This is very upsetting for her. She had been drinking quite heavily and didn’t recall her husband had left the property. She doesn’t recall where she went," she said.

“She fully accepts that she did unfortunately leave the children and that it was upsetting for the children.

“She was honest with police and knows that what she did was very wrong. She is committed to keeping herself away from the alcohol.”

The defendant has been allowed supervised visits with her children since the incident.

The case was adjourned for sentencing until July 8 at 10am for a probation report to be prepared.