A DRUNK mum left her toddler home alone after knocking back three bottles of Champagne to go and see her ex.

Aleksandra Pavare drove to visit her estranged husband and left the youngster for the night.

The 33-year-old got back to find the child awake after looking for food in the kitchen.

Pavare had been drinking champagne before she decided to see husband in Stoke-on-Trent at around 10.30pm.

She escaped a jail sentence after a court was told she had turned to booze to help cope with the breakdown of her marriage.

After being told she had left the child alone, estate agent Pavare was interviewed by police, but answered no comment to their questions.

At North Staffordshire Justice Centre she pleaded guilty to neglecting or abandoning a child.

Pavare, from Stoke-on-Trent, told a probation officer she had a history of depression and her 10-year marriage had recently broken down.

She had turned to alcohol as a “coping mechanism”.

Defending, Simon Dykes, said: "She is a young lady of previous good character who is extremely shocked by the way she behaved on that night.

"She had a number of problems to deal with at the time, which are now being appropriately addressed. No harm came to the child."

Magistrates handed Pavare a 12-month community order and ordered her to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £185 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the case, an NSPCC spokesman condemned Pavare's actions, saying: “No toddler should ever be left to fend for themselves and it’s right that this offender has been brought to justice,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone who has any concerns about a child can call the NSPCC Helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 5000.”