TWO eight-year-old girls drowned in a river while the woman who was meant to be looking after them was drinking and smoking cannabis, a court was told.

Wendy Dodd, 41, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to the wilful neglect of Jasmin Neville, whose grandparents John and Diana Shaw live in Park Street East, Barrowford, and Charlea Fox, who both died in the River Wharfe near Arthington, West Yorkshire.

A verdict of not guilty was recorded on two counts of manslaughter.

Mr Justice Poole postponed sentencing for the preparation of medical and psychiatric reports and Dodd was released on bail.

Jasmin's mum, Joanne, was brought up in Pendle before moving out of the area. Jasmin's grandparents have lived in the Nelson and Barrowford area for many years.

After the case, Robert Fitzgerald, Joanne's partner, said: "We are pleased that the trial is over and that Wendy Dodd has admitted her guilt. We hope people recognise the dangers of water and rivers."

James Stewart, QC, prosecuting, said a group of people, including Dodd, the two girls, and Charlea's parents, David and Maxine Fox, went to the beauty spot on July 21, 1997, for a barbecue to celebrate Charlea's eighth birthday.

Some women stripped to their underwear, and during the afternoon, Dodd stripped naked for a swim, he said.

Various witnesses described the adults as being the "worse for wear" due to drink and or drugs, Mr Stewart said. He said that Dodd, formerly of Leeds, had been left alone with Charlea and Jasmin, both of Burley, Leeds. The court heard that the two girls were playing in the river. Mr Stewart alleged that Dodd was well aware that the two children could not swim.

The defendant appreciated the dangers of the river and she had swum in it.

"The defendant was at the time of this incident the worse for drink and cannabis. She failed to keep a close eye on the children.

"They drowned when she was not paying sufficient attention to their welfare," Mr Stewart said.

Mr Stewart said it was also alleged that Charlea's parents, Maxine and David, were heroin addicts.

Two gypsy boys were then seen by Dodd, who invited them "for a spliff", the court heard.

It was after that Dodd realised the children were missing. At 10.20pm the girls' bodies were found a metre apart in water three to four metres deep.

Inspector Andy Oddy, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "It's very, very tragic and is a warning to people about drinking and taking drugs while looking after children."

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