Mum assaulted boy, five, in Preston playground

The mother, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was seen grabbing her son’s neck and pushing him, smacking him kneeing him in the back, Preston Magistrates’ Court was told.

The youngster, who attends a school in Fulwood, Preston, was said to be “sobbing uncontrollably”.

His 29-year-old mum, who is a part time waitress, admitted assault.

Prosecuting, Pam Ward said on June 26 police received a call from the headteacher at the school.

She said: “She received three phone calls from parents saying they had witnessed a boy being assaulted by his mother.

“One stated she was in the playground and heard a female shouting at a child. She saw her grab him by the left wrist and drag him across the playground. He was visibly crying and upset.”

The court heard the child dropped to the floor and the mum was seen to smack his bottom.

The witness saw them cross the road and said the boy was hit “really hard”.

She shouted at the mum to stop and she retorted: “ What would you do if your child didn’t want to come out of school?”

A second witness said the boy came into school the next day with marks on his neck and arms.

Ms Ward added: “We would say this was a sustained assault and that the victim was particularly vulnerable.”

Defending, John Didsbury said the incident unfolded after the mum had been told the boy had been kicking out at teachers and pupils, and told him he would be banned off his games when he got home.

He added: “His mum describes him as headstrong in terms of what he wants and what he is prepared to do, and a lot of energy is expelled in getting him to do what is needed.”

“She accepts with hindsight she used more force than she should have to get him home.”

She must take part in a rehabilitation activity and pay a £30 fine and £85 surcharge.