A magistrate issued a warning to parents yesterday when a couple appeared before him accused of leaving their children unattended for three hours while they sat in a bar.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, left their sons, aged three and six, in their car while they drank in The Palace bar in Spurling Hill, Hamilton.

A passerby noticed the youngsters alone in the car one evening last November, and became concerned.

However, the passerby decided to call Police after they passed by three hours later and saw the boys still there.

The Police arrived at the parking lot soon after, at about 8.50 p.m., and removed the children, before calling in Child and Family Services.

When the parents noticed the boys had gone, they went to Hamilton Police Station and were told what had happened.

As a result, the children were placed in the care of Family Services for seven days, until social workers were satisfied they could return home and were not in any harm.

Family court judge sends thirsty parents a sobering message Yesterday, the couple, believed to be from Smith's Parish, appeared before the Family Magistrates Court, each facing a charge of neglect.

They pleaded guilty and were bound over to keep the peace for six months.

Yesterday, Family Court Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said he hoped this incident was a warning to other parents who have previously done similar things, or would consider it in the future.

He said: "I hope people in the future will be deterred from doing things like this.

"The court recognised that it was a serious offence and reminded the parents that there have been reports where children, elderly people and animals have died after being locked up in cars - either being frozen to death or because of the heat.

"I want people to take notice and urge them not to do it.'' Defence Counsel for the couple Larry Mussenden told The Royal Gazette that the couple had gone to the bar to meet someone.

However, he said the boys' father, who is in his 30s, and their mother, who is in her 20s, regularly went out to check on them.

Mr. Mussenden said: "The couple apologised to the court for any inconvenience caused.

"They recognised that Family Services had to get involved with their family, but after seven days they (social workers) came to the conclusion that the family did not need any intervention at all. The parents have had no intervention since.

"They have been able to put this unfortunate incident behind them and move on.

"They are good parents, and they were good parents before.''