At last! Mum faces the music for delinquent kid

Justice clement Goldstone hauled the mother of a teenage hoodlum before his court in Liverpool. He had one question for her: Do you think you might have failed as a mother?

it was a good question, but one that is rarely asked in British courts.

Mothers — and fathers — of delinquents can be drug-addicted drunks who feed their kids chips and vodka for breakfast, yet still regard themselves, and are regarded as, paragons of parenthood.

it is as if the simple act of being a mother or father somehow bequeaths instant sainthood upon them. A state in which no criticism is tolerated.

Well, did this woman think she was a bad mum? course not. ‘He’s a good kid with me,’ she said. ‘it’s not my fault. i tried my best, your honour.’ Well she didn’t try hard enough. the boy had an appalling school attendance record, got involved in a high-speed car chase with police and then staged a 13-hour sit-in on a roof.

the judge wondered if he might be better off in care, but gave the boy and his mother a second chance. And where was daddy? Not present, needless to say. in body or in spirit.

But at least the responsibility and quality of the parenthood on offer was dragged into court as an issue worthy of consideration. Progress, of sorts.