Deborah McKendrick admitted wilful neglect

Depute procurator fiscal Bill Kermode told the court that McKendrick had put the child to bed next to an iron that had been on all day.

The child pulled at the ironing board and the iron came falling into the cot.

Mr Kermode added: "The child was screaming. She was in absolute pain.

"Ambulance staff arrived at McKendrick's house and found that she was under the influence of what they thought was drugs.

"Later at Yorkhill Hospital, staff speaking to McKendrick thought she had been taking drugs. She was consequently examined and found to be unfit and sent back home.

"The baby was taken into the care of the social work department.

"The next day police arrived to interview her. They also suspected her to be under the influence of drugs.

"They also found drug paraphernalia in the house.

12% burns

"She later confessed to the police that she had been taking heroin."

Mr Kermode added that medical staff treating the child found that 12% of the baby's face had been burned by the iron.

"She was also burned on left and right forearm and on the tongue.

"The child was in extreme pain and staff were forced to give her morphine to calm her down."

Defence solicitor Gerry Brown said McKendrick was now on a methadone programme and was trying to get off heroin.

Sheriff Matthews continued the case for sentencing.