Jury retires in toddler-bashing case

The jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the case of an Auckland woman accused of inflicting head injuries which almost caused the death of her four-year-old son.

Itupa Julie Mikaio, 40, of Blockhouse Bay, denies wounding Benjamin Mikaio with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and failing to provide the necessaries of life to the boy.

Mikaio admitted injuring Benjamin with intent, by striking him with a shoe.

Benjamin was taken to Auckland's Starship Hospital unconscious with head injuries on June 30 last year.

The Crown alleged Mikaio was so angry after Benjamin wet his bed that she hit him on the head and then threw him to the floor, causing injuries that would have killed him if he hadn't received surgery later that day.

She also delayed seeking medical help for some hours because she feared having to answer questions about how he was injured.

Mikaio told the court she didn't know how her son got his his injuries.

- NZPA