A DAD who turned up drunk to pick up his daughter from school has been given a chance to redeem himself by magistrates.

The 39-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in Swindon on Friday for sentencing after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to wilfully ill-treating or neglecting a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

The court heard how the dad had picked up his nine-year-old daughter from school on February 8 this year and took her to a nearby park.

But while there, other parents reported to school staff that the man had collapsed close to the play area and was covered from head to toe in mud.

The staff called the police and found the man so intoxicated he could not provide his name or address. His speech was slurred and his daughter was taken back to the school by the staff.

Prosecuting, Keith Ballinger told the court what the officers discovered on arriving at the school.

He said: “Officers were flagged down by members of the public who said that the man was led on the grass area covered from head to toe in mud.

“He didn’t seem to react to the officers arrived. He was so intoxicated that he couldn’t provide his name or address and couldn’t stand up by himself.

"He couldn't recall anything about the day and he accepted that his level of care was unsatisfactory.

"Asked what affect his actions had on his daughter by officers, he said that it would have made her sad and added that it was totally unacceptable.

"He told officers he didn't know why he did it and felt gutted by his behaviour."

The court heard how he had been shopping in the town and had one or two lagers before taking some medicine, named at an earlier hearing as diazepam.

Linda Holmes, defending told magistrates how her client was "mortified by his behaviour".

She added: "He has not given any excuses and has clearly admitted to the offence. He has made it quite clear that he finds the incident equally appalling as you do."

Magistrates told the dad that the "serious" offence warranted the need for a 12-month community order, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 12 sessions of an alcohol treatment requirement which aims to reduce or eliminate the offender's dependency on alcohol.

He was also told he must pay £35 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

An NSPCC spokesman for South West England said: “This was a case of child neglect – the most common form of child abuse, which can have a huge impact on a young person.

“Neglect can wreak havoc on a child’s development, emotional well-being, ability to form relationships, and mental health.

"It is right that the victim’s father has been brought to justice, and it is vital that he engages with his sentence to ensure there is no repeat of his appalling behaviour.”

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free 24/7 on 0808 800 5000. Meanwhile, children can call Childline on 0800 1111.