Couple fined for leaving young kids locked in car on hot day
A couple who left their three young children locked in a hot car at a Sydney shopping centre have each been fined $500.
Zarqa Khan and Mubashsar Shakoor pleaded guilty to leaving the three children, all under the age of seven, inside the car at St Marys in December.
A member of the public heard the baby’s cries and alerted security at the shopping complex.
The Mt Druitt couple, who took their three children to court with them on Friday, said they went into the shops to buy milk but were held up in the queue.
The car was parked in direct sunlight with the children left unattended for half an hour.
“Of course they are remorseful,” lawyer Hijaz Khan said.
“They should not have done that but unfortunately it happened.”
The Magistrate refused the couple’s request to be spared a fine, saying it’s a serious offence to place children at risk.
“These children were vulnerable,” the Magistrate said.
“They can’t look after themselves, especially during a period of hot weather.”
