A DARTFORD mother has been jailed for leaving her child at home on its own for five days.

Natalie Terry, aged 28, pleaded guilty to child neglect and failing to surrender to police after leaving her five-year-old child alone at her previous address, in Willow Road, Dartford.

Jurors at Maidstone Crown Court heard how Terry left her child in the cold house without food.

The child eventually sought refuge from a next-door neighbour and when police later visited the home, they found animal faeces on the floors.

Kent Police investigating officer DC Fleur Hardie said: “Children deserve to grow up in a loving environment where they are protected from harm, not subjected to it.

“I am pleased with this sentence which shows we will do everything in our power to bring such offenders to justice and work with social services to protect children.”

Terry was sentenced to 18 months in prison.