SARAH HUMPHREYS GLENROTHES ONLINE GAMING NEGLIGENTLY LET CHILD FALL FROM WINDOW

A woman from Glenrothes, Sarah Humphreys, has been sentenced after a tragic incident involving a young girl who fell from a second-floor window while under her care. The child sustained severe brain injuries as a result of the fall, which occurred while Humphreys was engaged in playing an online game. The incident has drawn significant attention from the court and the local community, highlighting issues of supervision and safety in domestic environments.

Humphreys, aged 31, admitted to wilfully neglecting the young girl on March 18 of the previous year. The court heard that she failed to ensure the window was properly secured, despite being warned about the potential danger just two weeks prior by a police officer who observed a child leaning out of the window. This lack of proper safety measures directly contributed to the tragic fall.

In her sentencing, Sheriff James Williamson ordered Humphreys to complete 180 hours of unpaid work over the course of a year and placed her under supervision for 18 months. During the proceedings, Humphreys was visibly emotional, weeping in the dock as the sentence was handed down. Her solicitor, David Bell, described the case as “undoubtedly not a straightforward matter,” emphasizing that the incident was the result of a momentary lapse in supervision rather than malicious intent.

Mr. Bell explained to the court that the incident was a catastrophic outcome stemming from a failure to properly secure the window, which had a handle with three positions—lock, tilt, or fully open. The young girl managed to open the window fully, leading to her fall. The court had previously deferred sentencing to allow for reports to be prepared.

Addressing Humphreys directly, Sheriff Williamson described the incident as “tragic” and acknowledged the life-changing consequences for the child. However, the sheriff also expressed concern that there was more to the case than just the fall itself, suggesting that Humphreys’ neglect was part of a broader pattern of carelessness. Despite this, the sheriff decided to avoid a custodial sentence, considering her personal circumstances and the possibility of an alternative punishment.

During earlier hearings, it was revealed that Humphreys had heard the child meddling with the window and instructed her to come away. At the time of the fall, Humphreys was downstairs setting up an online game while wearing headphones. Neighbours heard her scream, “She has fallen from the bedroom,” and found the girl lying outside the building, breathing but unresponsive. Emergency services were called immediately, and the girl was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Glasgow to receive treatment for multiple major injuries.

Humphreys pled guilty at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to wilfully neglecting a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health. The court heard that gaming served as a means of escape for her during a difficult period, as she was struggling with personal issues involving her ex-partner. Her solicitor, Mr. Bell, explained that her focus was compromised due to stress and domestic problems, which contributed to her neglect of the child's safety.

He further stated that Humphreys now fully recognises the seriousness of her actions and the risks she failed to address. The incident has left a lasting impact on her, and she is aware that she will have to live with the consequences for the rest of her life. The case underscores the importance of proper supervision and safety measures in homes, especially when young children are involved, and highlights the tragic outcomes that can result from neglect and distraction.