Granny banned from giving sweets

A grandmother has been banned from giving sweets to her grandchildren after a court heard they had suffered dental problems. The grandmother, known as EM, launched a legal battle against her own daughter over access to the four children.

Perth Sheriff Court was told EM would often bring two carrier bags of sweets with her on visits. Sheriff Daniel Kelly QC granted the grandmother one visit a month on the condition she did not give them sweets.

The grandmother took her daughter to court after contact with the four children was cut off in March 2006.

The court was told the two oldest children had suffered dental problems and had to have teeth removed.

Sheriff Kelly said: "She said the SSPCA visit was not the reason for stopping contact, but was 'the final straw'. Other reasons which she advanced related to her considering that the pursuer gave the children too many sweets and fizzy drinks, was domineering and interfering. She said that the pursuer would often bring two carrier bags of sweets. She said she had asked her not to bring them."

The sheriff said it was not possible to ascertain whether the dental problems were solely because of the sweets provided by the grandmother.

"I accept that the pursuer did give the children excessive sweets," he said.

"The dental health of the children is undoubtedly important, but I regard it as significant that the pursuer has given an undertaking not to give them sweets during contact. I am fully satisfied it would be in the children's best interests to continue to see their grandmother."

He ruled that initially the grandmother should be allowed to see her grandchildren for two hours once a month. He adopted EM's undertaking not to give the children sweets during contact - and said he would rely on the children confessing if the rule was broken.