NEIL SCHOFIELD ABANDONS 2-YEAR-OLD IN WEEYOUTH CAR PARK IN THE RAIN

In a distressing incident that has shocked the community of Weymouth, Dorset, Neil Schofield, aged 35, was sentenced to six months in prison after a series of reckless and neglectful actions that put his young son's safety at grave risk.

It was a late night in February 2016 when Schofield, heavily intoxicated, was discovered collapsed on the ground beside his two-year-old son's pushchair in a Weymouth car park. An alert member of the public, witnessing the scene in the pouring rain, promptly contacted the police to report the situation.

By the time law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, Schofield had already disappeared, leaving behind the vulnerable child alone in the cold and wet environment. The police officers, concerned for the child's welfare, decided to wait for an hour in hopes that Schofield would return. During this period, Schofield staggered back to his home, apparently forgetting where he had left his son. In a state of distress and confusion, he then confronted his partner, screaming and demanding to know the whereabouts of their child.

Following this, Schofield went in search of his son and eventually arrived at the Wyke Smugglers pub around midnight. He was found there in a highly emotional and aggressive state, and when questioned by police, he repeatedly asked, “Have you found my son?”

The child was unharmed physically but was taken to hospital as a precaution. Medical professionals, including a paediatrician, later confirmed that the child had been exposed to the risk of hypothermia due to being cold and wet for an extended period. The incident raised serious concerns about Schofield's capacity to care for his son, especially given his apparent disregard for the child's safety while intoxicated.

During the court proceedings at Dorchester Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Fuller described Schofield's actions as “horrific,” emphasizing the severity of neglect involved. The judge pointed out that Schofield, who was then without a fixed address, had been drinking heavily since the morning of August 19, the day of the Weymouth Carnival, when he took his son out with him.

Prosecutor Richard Tutt highlighted the dangers faced by the child, noting that the paediatrician's assessment confirmed the child was at significant risk of hypothermia and dehydration due to the cold, wet conditions he was subjected to.

In sentencing, Judge Fuller condemned Schofield’s reckless behavior, stating, “This is a case of you, knowing you had care of a child, going out to get drunk and totally disregarding the consequences for this child. It would strike anyone with horror to think that a child aged two strapped into a pushchair on a rainy night was abandoned by a drunken parent in a public car park.”

The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of parental neglect and the importance of responsible care, especially in vulnerable young children. Schofield’s actions have left a lasting impact on the community and highlight the critical need for awareness and intervention in cases of parental substance abuse and neglect.