Scots teen left to die watching Tipping Point was at risk of 'significant harm' due to neglect
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A tragic teenager who died watching TV quiz show Tipping Point was at risk of 'significant harm' due to neglect and drug abuse at home, an inquiry heard. Robyn Goldie, 13, passed away watching television while her mum Sharon Goldie, 49, went to the pub.
A fatal accident inquiry at Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Robyn had returned to Goldie's home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, after spending eight years with her grandmother. Colin Anderson, who worked in social work for 50 years and compiled two reports for the inquiry, said he had concerns for Robyn after looking into the case.
He added: "I think she would have been at risk of significant harm because of neglect and emotional abuse. This is because of the history of the case, the lack of parental care and the number of times that mum had Robyn unattended with various people who came about the house.
"She was being exposed to alcohol and drug abuse in the house and the relationship between mum and Robyn has been described as sibling-like and mum was clearly not taking responsibility as a parent for parental concerns."
The court was told Robyn had seen a nurse the week before she died in July 2018 but had not highlighted any concerns over her health. Anderson said this meant support workers would not have reported concerns about the case.
He added: "There is no way of knowing the severity of the illness. Looking at this through the eyes of the support workers, having been to the nurse, having heard evidence that she was feeling fine and having considered these facts from the point of view of the support workers, there was nothing there that should have been a red flag that there was harm there. How do you know the unknown?"
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Anderson had previously told the court her death in 2018 'could not have been anticipated' by those working with the family. The probe heard North Lanarkshire Council ordered a significant case review in the wake of her death and had changed social work practices.
The inquiry had earlier heard Goldie told Robyn not to report an alleged rape as it would lead to her being examined by doctors and having to go to court. It has also heard claims Robyn had been exposed to her drunk mother having sex with men in their home.
Goldie, of Kilsyth, Lanarkshire, admitted wilful ill treatment and neglect between July 2017 and July 2018 and was jailed for three years and six months in October 2020. The inquiry before Sheriff Linda Nicolson continues.
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