A JUDGE has decided not to impose a penalty on a mother and step grandmother who appeared before him on assault charges arising out of the mother's 10 year old daughter being spanked on the bottom with a wooden spoon.
The child, who has a history of troublesome behaviour, was beaten with the spoon by her step grandmother when £55 went missing from the family home after the child's birthday party. Both women admitted the assault charge at Loughrea District Court in Co Galway yesterday. Judge James O'Sullivan was told the mother was unable to control her daughter and had pleaded for her to be taken into care. The child was now in permanent foster care, but the authorities were anxious for her to be reunited with her mother. He said he was shocked at the "savage beating", but having considered a psychologist's report agreed to adjourn the case until July.
He wished the parties well if the child returned to live at home.