A CALLOUS Irvine pair who left toddler alone with methadone and a machete have been jailed.

Scott Johnston, 39, and Elaine Brown, 32, are behind bars after pleading guilty of the wilful neglect of the child, then aged only 17 months.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how the evil pair allowed the child to ingest the potentially fatal substance which was in close proximity.

The court also heard how a machete was found under a bed and within reach of the child.

The episode occurred in Johnston’s home in Galt Avenue shortly before 10pm in May 2013 when Brown made a 999 call to emergency services after the child collapsed.

She told the operator how the child was unresponsive but Brown suddenly changed her mind and told the operator that the child did not require any assistance.

When paramedics arrived they noted how the youngster was struggling to keep his eyes open.

Police were required to attend the wheelchair-bound Johnston’s home and the couple also told officers that the child was fine after removing him from a bed, despite being unresponsive.

But it was at this point that Johnston made a full admission about the incident.

The child was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital but this did not please Brown who repeatedly tried to move the child from the care of emergency services.

Incredibly, the child was released from hospital the following day after making a full recovery.

When appearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, both Brown and Johnston pled guilty to wilful neglect.

It was also revealed that Brown, from another Irvine address, had been uncooperative with social workers.

The couple were each sentenced to 30 months in prison.