A DRUNKEN man who passed out while looking after a child is now facing custody.

Police were called to Droitwich High School playing fields last month after members of the public saw a man, accompanied by a young boy and a dog, lying on the ground at about 7.15pm on Saturday, October 10.

Christopher Wheeldon, aged 57, had passed out face down on the grass, leaving the child – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – wandering dangerously close to the canal.

It was pitch black and the boy, who was crying, had wet himself.

Wheeldon pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a child under seven years old.

“This is a matter which caused various members of the public serious concern,” said Leslie Ashton, prosecuting, at Worcester Magistrates Court.

“Officers who went to the playing fields were using torches to search when they saw a figure moving around near a footpath leading to the canal bridge.

“They then saw a man lying face down and a black and white spaniel dog nearby.

“There were no street lights and the only way of seeing people was with the torches.”

Police who tried to rouse Wheeldon, of Little Hill Court, Droitwich, said he appeared to be asleep, if not unconscious.

“He was unable to stand unaided,” said Mrs Ashton.

“He told them he’d drunk a considerable amount and had come to take his dog for a walk with the child.”

The court was then told that Wheeldon, who had left the house with a can of lager in his coat pocket, had no idea how long he was asleep for and thought it was light when they left the house.

Condemning Wheeldon’s behaviour as “despicable”, district judge Bruce Morgan ordered a pre-sentence report.

“I have no choice but to consider custody in this case,” he said, before urging the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that Wheeldon does not look after the child again.

The case was adjourned until Friday, December 4. Wheeldon was granted bail until then.