A mother-of-four has been accused of allegedly abandoning her children.

The Alloa woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her kids, is charged with leaving the youngsters – aged between five and eight – in the care of a person unsuitable to look after them at their home address between 7-9 May 2014.

The mum allegedly failed to return to said property for two days and failed to provide adequate living and sleeping arrangements for the children.

On Wednesday (4 June) at Alloa Sheriff Court the case was continued without plea until 16 June.

STEWART An Alloa woman accused of fiddling over £4000 had her trial postponed because of a perforated eardrum.

On Wednesday (4 June) at Alloa Sheriff Court, Samantha Stewart (44) maintained a plea of not guilty to allegedly failing to notify the Secretary of State of a change in circumstances that affected her entitlement to benefits.

Stewart is accused of subletting her house between 22 April 2010 and 26 June 2011, but allegedly continued to claim £4523.91 worth of Housing and Council Tax benefits and Income Support of which she was not entitled.

Stewart, of Maple Court, was due to stand trial last week, but had her case adjourned until 22 December to give her time to regain better hearing following a perforated eardrum.