Leigh-Anne Varley, who abandoned her newborn on a doorstep (Picture: North News)
A married woman who fell pregnant after having an affair was so scared she’d be found out that she abandoned her newborn son on a doorstep.
Leigh-Anne Varley was so distressed and full of remorse that she admitted wilful neglect and was given a 14-week sentence, suspended for one year.
The 36-year-old hid her pregnancy from her husband and two children until she gave birth in secret in the bathroom of the family home in Horden, County Durham, in May.
She then wrapped the baby up warmly and left him on a doorstep, along with a note that read: ‘Please look after my baby.’
The newborn was found on 52-year-old Janice Clish’s doorstep by her partner’s terrier Zak.
A married woman who fell pregnant after having an affair was so scared she’d be found out that she abandoned her newborn son on a doorstep.
Leigh-Anne Varley was so distressed and full of remorse that she admitted wilful neglect and was given a 14-week sentence, suspended for one year.
The 36-year-old hid her pregnancy from her husband and two children until she gave birth in secret in the bathroom of the family home in Horden, County Durham, in May.
She then wrapped the baby up warmly and left him on a doorstep, along with a note that read: ‘Please look after my baby.’
The newborn was found on 52-year-old Janice Clish’s doorstep by her partner’s terrier Zak.
The house where Zak the terrier discovered the baby (Picture: North News)
Clish and her partner called the emergency services and the baby was taken to hospital for medical checks.
At the time she said: ‘I had been fast asleep, and I thought I was still dreaming. It was bizarre.
‘I scooped him up and he was crying, gently. I felt so sorry for him, to just see him lying there like that.’
Staff at the hospital initially named him Jack.
Varley handed herself into the police after they launched a major appeal to find her.
The court heard she was scared that if her husband found out about the affair it would lead to the break-up of her family.
Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, told Peterlee Magistrates’ Court that by the time she had found out about the pregnancy it was too late for a termination.
‘She was unable to tell her husband because she was fearful of breaking up the family unit,’ Traynor said.
‘She said she was sure the baby was not her husband’s.’
Clish and her partner called the emergency services and the baby was taken to hospital for medical checks.
At the time she said: ‘I had been fast asleep, and I thought I was still dreaming. It was bizarre.
‘I scooped him up and he was crying, gently. I felt so sorry for him, to just see him lying there like that.’
Staff at the hospital initially named him Jack.
Varley handed herself into the police after they launched a major appeal to find her.
The court heard she was scared that if her husband found out about the affair it would lead to the break-up of her family.
Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, told Peterlee Magistrates’ Court that by the time she had found out about the pregnancy it was too late for a termination.
‘She was unable to tell her husband because she was fearful of breaking up the family unit,’ Traynor said.
‘She said she was sure the baby was not her husband’s.’
Janice Clish, 52, with her terrier Zak (Picture: North News)
After the verdict a spokeswoman from Durham Police urged women to seek help in times of desperation.
‘This has been a very sad case for all concerned,’ she said. ‘We would urge any woman who finds herself in such difficult circumstances to seek help from health professionals and associated agencies sooner rather than later to avoid a potential tragedy.’
After the verdict a spokeswoman from Durham Police urged women to seek help in times of desperation.
‘This has been a very sad case for all concerned,’ she said. ‘We would urge any woman who finds herself in such difficult circumstances to seek help from health professionals and associated agencies sooner rather than later to avoid a potential tragedy.’
Metro
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