Woman charged with son’s assault says he deserved it

A brother and sister have been remanded in custody after they appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged with assaulting the woman’s son.
22-year-old Steven Smith, from Bradley’s Park, Derry is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to his 18-year-old nephew on New Year’s Day during the incident in St. Eithne’s Park in the city.
The court was told that 37-year-old Tracey Smith, from Glenview Street, Derry shouted “he deserved it” after her son was alleged beaten unconscious and bitten by his uncle.
The court was told that both defendants were alleged to have gone to the 18-year-old’s home to confront him about why he had not spent New Year with them.
Witnesses were said to have told police that Steven Smith allegedly punched, head butted and bit his nephew, who then fell unconscious on to the kitchen floor.
The teenager was later treated in hospital for bite lacerations to his ear and cheek.
A police officer told the court the actions of the two defendants were fuelled by drugs and alcohol, and she said the youth’s mother had made no attempt to protect her son.
Tracey Smith was also charged with burglary and assaulting a police officer. Her brother Steven Smith is also charged with burglary.
District judge Barney McElholm, described the details of the case as “absolutely disgraceful”.
Both defendants were remanded in custody and will appear again later this month.