A TEENAGER has admitted abandoning a baby following a row with a man in the street.

Celine Townley, 19, of Toronto Road, Gillingham, told Medway magistrates she chased after the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and left the baby in a buggy at the corner of Skinner Street and Jeffery Street in Gillingham.

Kumud Singh, prosecuting, said Townley and the man were seen arguing at about 3.30pm on April 15 this year. The man left and Townley followed him. A member of the public tried to stop her but she went after the man. The police were called and the baby was taken into care by social services.

James Burnham, defending, said it was the teenager's first appearance before a court. He added: "She fully accepts she left the baby, but she did say she went back to get the baby by which time he was surrounded by people, so she ran to a friend's house."

The child cannot be named for legal reasons. Townley is due to return to court for sentencing on July 18.