A young child was found wandering the streets alone wearing just pyjamas and wellington boots on the wrong feet, a court heard.

The toddler, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was spotted by a passing motorist who alerted police.

The child was unharmed but a judge warned the woman who was responsible for his care at the time that there could have been more serious consequences.

"We live in a dangerous world and it was only a matter of good fortune that someone phoned the police and the child was found," said Judge Heather Baucher.

Sam Jacobs, 39, of Lion Field, Faversham, had denied child cruelty but was convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

The youngster went missing on January 29 last year but was found the same day. The judge said Jacobs had been drinking at the time.

Imposing a 24-month community order with an alcohol treatment requirement for six months, Judge Baucher praised the probation service's pre-sentence report as "one of the best" she had seen.

"It tells me a great deal of background and some of the underlying difficulties you have had, particularly why you have turned to alcohol and that you are doing everything you can to address that."

Judge Baucher added that Jacobs had had a "difficult and stressful" life, including the recent stillbirth of her child and losing another in 2007.

"It's clear, therefore, to me that you need every assistance we can offer you."