A woman is currently on trial in the Hutt Valley District Court, accused of assaulting her adopted child. The charges include manually assaulting the child, using weapons, impeding the child’s breathing, and causing a wound. The woman has admitted to abusing the child but denies the severity of the violence.
During her video interview with the police, the now-12-year-old girl recounted the incidents of abuse. She explained that her adoptive mother became angry with her, hitting her and causing her to cry. The woman then proceeded to slap her in the face, resulting in a bleeding nose. The abuse escalated as the woman swung the girl by her hair, causing her head to hit a dressing table. The girl suffered a wound on her head, which was noticed by her school principal.
The principal described the wound as ugly-looking and fleshy. However, she initially hesitated to report the incident, as the girl had a tendency to tell lies at the time. The defense lawyer questioned the girl in court, suggesting that the swinging incident did not occur as she described. He claimed that the wound was the result of the girl tripping and hitting her head.
Another incident involved the woman trying to forcefully change the girl’s clothes. The girl resisted, and a struggle ensued. The woman hit her in the face, bit her hand, and used a wooden rod to strike her legs. She also grabbed the girl’s hair and shook her head. The girl stated that the woman then put her in a chokehold from behind, making it difficult for her to breathe. She screamed for the woman to stop, fearing for her life.
The trial also involves allegations of assault against another girl the woman adopted. It is claimed that the woman hit her with a wooden chair and the metal end of a dog collar.
The judge-alone trial will continue tomorrow, examining the evidence and testimonies presented in court.
