Two years probation for harming child

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33193, 5 April 1973, Page 15

Two years probation for harming child

Elizabeth Brett, aged 36, a housewife, was admitted to probation for two years when she appeared for sentence before Mr Justice Roper in the Supreme Court yesterday on a charge of wilfully ill-treating a boy, aged three, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Mrs Brett pleaded guilty to the charge in the Magistrate's Court and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. I Mr A. P. C. Tipping, for the prisoner, said that the boy iwas still in nospital but was unlikely to suffer any permanent ill effects and it was hoped that a child of that age would not retain any lasting memories of the incident. The offence arose from a combination of pent up stresses, marital and medical problems and the usual frustrations of a mother who had to deal with what in some ways was a difficult child. Although she had committed a I serious crime a prison sentence was inappropriate because her family needed ner, Mr Tipping said. “This was, as your counsel has said, a serious offence — the ill-treatment of a three-year-old adopted child who, las a result of your actions, j suffered a subdural haemorrhage resulting in paralysis of the right eye,” said his Honour. "Fortunately that has now righted itself. He also had numerous bruises and cuts and a healing fracture of one leg, obviously as the result of some earlier incident. “Mrs Brett, you are rather a mystery. As against that background, you have shown (yourself to be a very good | mother to your five natural (children with a minimum of "help from your husband,” his I Honour said.

He would have regard for the medical report presented by counsel and for the very favourable and full probation officer’s report which said that the prisoner belonged to several organisations such as a mothers' club and a young wives' group, and that -he was a conscientious and enthusiastic woman. A very experienced police officer, who was in charge of the case, confirmed that het five children were well cared for and well treated. “Although it is a serious charge, obviously it would he disastrous for your live natural children if you were

sent tu prison Indeed I might say that having examined other sentences imposed bv this Court on charges similar to this. I can find none where imprisonment ha* been imposed unless it is a charge where the child has died," said his Honour. It was obvious that Mis Brett had problems and ihe probation officer could help lier with them. It seemed that she had a tendenev to break down under tension and that the child became an outlet for her when that happened It would be unwise for the child to return to her home, said his Honour