'Home alone' mother released on bail

A British mother arrested on suspicion of leaving her 12-year-old son home alone for almost two weeks was today released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Jill Parker, 53, was released on bail from Battersea Police Station in south-west London to return on January 15, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

Ms Parker, who was arrested late on Sunday night, was believed to have undergone medical assessments during her time at the police station.

Officers refused to reveal if she had been released to seek medical help, or if, or when, she would be reunited with her 12-year-old son, Rufus Polak, who for fended for himself for more than two weeks at the family home in Battersea.