A single mum, who was “at the end of her tether”, slapped her child across the face.
The mother, who no longer looks after her children, was grappling with their difficult behaviour and lost control in what was a one-off incident, Teesside Crown Court heard.
On Thursday, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wept in the dock as the court was told she suffers from learning difficulties and mental health issues. Her barrister Gary Wood, informed the court: “This is a case where the defendant was completely inadequate and ill-equipped to deal with her children.”
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“She says she was dealing with challenging behaviour from the children and she lost her temper. She would benefit from mental health treatment, rather than a custodial sentence.”
A report by psychiatrist Dr Green revealed that the mother has an IQ of 79 and “had problems answering basic questions”. The court was told that the children now reside elsewhere and the local authority states “there is very little chance of them ever returning to this mother’s care”, reports Teesside Live.
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The mother admitted to the ill-treatment of a young person causing unnecessary suffering. She has no prior convictions.
Judge Jonathan Carroll addressed the woman: “You were a single mother. You were struggling to cope. I say this not to be rude – but I have read the psychiatrist’s report – and you are somebody with intellectual challenges.”
“You were not well-placed to mother these children. When the children were presenting challenges, you lost your self-control. You were at the end of your tether. This was a manifestation in your inability to cope.”
“It is in the interests of society and in any future children you might have, for you to do the work now – to makeup for any life skills you may lack. The safety of any of your future children can be enhanced by doing the work that has to be done now.”
“You need help with your mental health, I am going to impose a treatment requirement as part of your sentence. That will be supervised by the principle psychologist.”
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“The unpaid work is part of the punitive element but it is also part of you rehabilitation. It will be undertaken in probation’s Women’s Services.”
The woman was handed a 42-week prison term, suspended for two years. She must attend mental health appointments as part of a 12-month treatment requirement; she was also handed 30-rehabilitation days and 120-hours of unpaid work to carry out.
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