Woman bashed child because he wet bed, court told

Photo / Janna Dixon

A woman has gone on trial for allegedly giving her then three-year-old son a beating so bad he was left with brain injuries because he wet his bed.

The three-year-old boy suffered head injuries that required life-saving surgery at Auckland's Starship Hospital.

The High Court at Auckland trial of his mother Itupa Julie Mikaio, 40, heard this morning the child also suffered from bruising to his buttocks, thighs and chest that were so severe that it bleed into his muscles.

He also had fractures to his pelvis, hands and one foot.

Mikaio denies a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and failing to provide the necessities of life.

She has pleaded guilty to one charge of injuring with intent to injure, in relation to a separate incident where she beat the boy with a shoe.

The incident occurred on Monday June 30, 2008 at their Avondale house.

Prosecutor Deborah Marshall said the injuries were not the result of a minor accident and the boy was subjected to significant force.

Mikaio's defense lawyer, Ted Faleauto, said she had pleaded guilty to what she had done but denied causing the head injury.

Mr Faleauto said his client was not guilty of failing to provide for her son because she did what she thought was appropriate at the time.

The trial is expected to last five days.