Woman punched child after 'losing it'

She punched the child in the head several times, the force sending her into a window pane, breaking it. Photo / Thinkstock

A Murupara woman who "lost it" because she believed a child lied to her about dog food, punched the 12-year-old so hard that her head hit a window, shattering it.

Maria Cecillia August, 56, was to have been sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday but Judge James Weir deferred sentencing until March 12 so he could obtain a home-detention report.

He told August's lawyer, Wiremu Te Are, the offending was so severe a community-based sentence was not an option.

August had earlier admitted assaulting the child on March 17 last year.

August became enraged when she discovered there was not enough dog roll to feed her dogs, despite the child telling her there was.

She punched the child in the head several times, the force sending her into a window pane, breaking it.

Later in the day something else angered August and she again repeatedly punched the girl in the head. She also kicked her in the thigh because her blood was dripping on to the floor.

The next day August punched the child in the face, placing her hand around her throat, choking her for a short time. She later denied this to police but admitting "losing it" when she discovered her victim was lying to her.