Attacked girl's mum seeks diversion

Mellissa Anderson in the dock during her first appearance at the Waitakere District Court. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A mother who allegedly attacked her daughter's bully is seeking diversion.

Mellissa May Anderson, 34, appeared in Waitakere District Court today charged with assault.

The Helensville mother allegedly slapped one of two 14-year-old girls thought to have punched, kicked and hit her daughter.

Summer Anderson, 13, was waiting for the bus outside Kaipara College on a Friday afternoon in November when two girls allegedly attacked her.

She was left bloodied and bruised and sought refuge in a nearby house and called her mother, who then allegedly pinned one of the two attackers to the ground in front of the police.

Anderson, dressed in jeans, a grey top and black jacket, did not speak in court today.

Defence lawyer John Edgar asked Community Magistrate Fenella Thomas that his client be remanded to discuss diversion with police.

Anderson entered no plea and will next appear in court in January.

She previously unsuccessfully sought name suppression earlier this month.

The incident has provoked an outpouring of support and criticism for fighting back against bullies.

Anderson went public with her story after a family member approached the media.

She has since said she was overwhelmed by the media attention, and wanted the spotlight to shift to bullying, not her.

"My biggest regret is that my intervention has detracted from the real issue at hand, which is that bullying is a bigger problem than people imagine,'' she said in a statement.

Kaipara College board of trustees chairman Stanley Phillips has previously said the school could not defend itself against bullying allegations as the matter was before the courts.

He said the school's reputation had been tarnished.