A mother from Brighton has been spared prison by a judge after a furious physical and verbal attack on her 12-year-old daughter.
District Judge Tessa Szagun said that the assault was so serious that it merited an immediate prison sentence.
But given the mother’s previous good character, her commitment to dealing with her anger problems, her close co-operation with the authorities and her remorse, the judge passed a suspended sentence.
Victoria Grey, prosecuting, told Brighton Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday 13 December) that the 33-year-old mother exploded with anger one morning in July.
Her daughter asked for help with her tablet computer before school.
Mrs Grey said: “Her mum exploded and went after her.”
The mother grabbed her daughter’s wrist, pinned her down and put her hand over the girl’s mouth.
She unleashed an onslaught of verbal abuse, telling the child that she wished that she had not had her and that her life would be better without her.
As the girl cried, the mother put a pillow over her daughter’s face to stifle the noise.
The girl left for school 40 minutes early to get away from her mother and when she arrived, told a teacher what had happened.
Sussex Police became involved because of the degree of violence and the fact that it was not the first time that the mother had attacked her daughter.
Earlier in the year, Mrs Grey said, “her mother kicked her so hard in the stomach that she couldn’t breathe.”
The mother admitted overreacting. The angry outburst were happening about once or twice a week, the court was told. And she had been seeking help to manage her anger.
Teresa Mulrooney, defending said: “She fully admits her behaviour and takes full responsibility for it.”
The judge said: “Before this incident occurred you had already been taking steps to address what you know was problematic behaviour.
“But I cannot ignore that as a parent you have a responsibility to protect your child.”
The judge also said that given the nature of the force that the mother used and the injuries sustained, what she said to the girl and the impact of that, “it crosses the immediate custody threshold”.
She sentenced the mother to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 15 days of rehabilitation activity, and ordered her to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
No child should have to endure a mother like that – ever. Is her father around and any better? Could she live with relatives instead. Get her OUT of there!!!!