KEY POINTS:
A "stressed-out" mother who assaulted her child with a gumboot and picked him up by the ears was sentenced to nine months' supervision in Christchurch District Court today.
Helen Dawn Jones, 28, has lost custody of her six-year-old son who is in Child, Youth and Family care.
Defence counsel Andrew Riches said the punishments were the actions of a stressed-out mother who simply crossed the line.
"She is at low risk of re-offending, is changing her life, and is doing work for the community," he said.
Judge Colin Doherty sentenced Jones to nine months' supervision and to undertake an assessment for a Stopping Violence programme to help her with her frustration.
Jones grabbed her son by the ears and pulled him up after he ignored her instructions. He was left with bruised and bleeding ears.
A few days later, he threw a gumboot at his mother. She beat him with it on the back of his legs and feet. There was significant bruising which was noticed by a caregiver.
- NZPA
