Jurors in tears at son's evidence

Jury members were reduced to tears yesterday as they listened to a 12-year-old boy give evidence against his mother who is charged with assault.

The 41-year-old woman is facing 14 counts of assault against her three children in Dunedin District Court, the Otago Daily Times reported.

The charges include seven counts of assault with a weapon including a wooden spoon, jug cord, fibreglass tent pole, sandals or a belt; and seven counts of assaulting a child under the age of 14 by hitting with her hand.

Several jurors wiped tears from their eyes as the woman's son told of how he placed a toy padlock outside his window to make himself "feel safe".

The incidents allegedly took place in Gisborne, Napier and Invercargill between April 2006 and March 2008.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll told the jury the trial was being held in Dunedin because of convenience.

- NZPA