COPS called out by an anonymous report of a child being neglected found a woman passed out from drugs while looking after a toddler.

But a sheriff sympathised with Alison McGurran and gave her six months to be of good behaviour before sentencing for putting the child at risk.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how around 4.40pm on June 8 last year police received a call about concern for a child.

McGurran had been seen walking down Drumbottie Road in Springburn "heavily under the influence".

The depute fiscal told the court: "Around 20 minutes later officers attended at a flat and discovered the accused within the flat.

"She was caring for [the child], a 20 months old baby.

"At the time the officers noted no concerns for the accused's ability to care for the child and the child was well looked after.

"The only concern was that the child was able to clim on to a bed next to an open window."

The 44-year-old was advised to keep the window closed, promised to do so and the cops left the property.

But later that day, around 6.25pm, they received another anonymous call from a person saying they were concerned for the welfare of a child.

Police went back out to the flat and could see through a door that was ajar that the child was walking around the living room.

The depute fiscal added: "The accused was observed to be sleeping on the couch.

"It took several moment for her to be raised by the officers and it was their opinion she was heavily under the influence."

The court also heard a cannabis bong was seen in the hallway of the flat on a table that could easily be reached by the child.

The window was also still open and easily accessible to the toddler.

The fiscal added: "On being awakened it took the accused several minutes to remember she was alone in the house with the child.

"The child was removed from the accused's care and put into the care of her grandfather."

Cops cautioned and charged McGurran who said: "Yes, I'm disgusted."

McGurran's defence brief said: "It is a very sad matter, really.

"She has never been in trouble before."

The lawyer explained that at the time of the offence, living in the home were another adult and the child.

He said: "The [other adult] had vanished, disappeared and was a missing person.

"She was highly distressed and exhausted and the drugs that were there in the property belong to [another person].

"She was so distressed she took cannabis and it seems to have had a powerful effect on her.

"She is no longer the carer for this child, who lives elsewhere and her contact with her is very much limited.

"This is a heavy price to pay for her in that regard."

Sheriff Patricia Pryce said: "I know how upset you are about this.

"You put this child at risk and you know you put them at risk.

"I have read the [criminal justice social work] report and I know there were a lot of extenuating circumstances and you are a lady, at your age and stage of life, who is a first offender."

The sheriff deferred sentencing on McGurran to allow her to be of good behaviour.

She will appear back before the court in six months.