Dad snapped over teen’s conduct

A single father, embarrassed by his son’s poor behaviour at school, attacked the 13-year-old, winding and bruising him.

They had just returned home after a meeting with teaching staff about the boy’s conduct at school when the father snapped about 10am on February 11.

The 46-year-old Timaru man pleaded guilty to assaulting a child when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru District Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Toaiva Hitila told the court the man, who is the victim’s sole carer, was ‘‘angry and frustrated’’ with his son.

He yelled and cursed at him, before slapping the back of his head twice with an open palm.

‘‘His aggression towards his son escalated and with a bare foot, the defendant repeatedly

Police prosecutor

kicked the complainant’s lower legs.

‘‘The complainant dropped to the floor in a foetal position in an attempt to protect himself, and the defendant kicked him again in the stomach.’’

The boy was left winded and suffered bruising to his legs, Hitila said.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated he was angry and embarrassed by his son’s poor behaviour at school.

‘‘The defendant has appeared before court.’’

Judge Maze remanded the man at large until sentencing on August 13, ordering a presentence report with appendices and for the possibility of a restorative justice meeting between the father and son to be explored.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated he was angry and embarrassed by his son’s poor behaviour at school.’’ Toaiva Hitila

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