A Dundee woman has been slammed for forcing two young boys to relive the trauma to which she subjected them.
Lisa Malone, 44, was convicted of four charges of assault against two boys over the course of a decade, from July 2010 to 2020.
She stood trial at Dundee Sheriff Court and both youngsters gave evidence.
A source close to the case said: “This has taken years to come before the courts because of the delays brought by Covid.
“It has been damaging for the young boys who had to give evidence – it’s devastating it has been dragged out for so long.
“They had to relive it first time giving evidence to the police but it has been made worse by having to come to court to give evidence personally.
“At least this verdict means it will be drawing to a close, this has been hanging over the boys for years.”
Praise for young victims
Sheriff Lorna Drummond praised the children – who cannot be named for legal reasons – calling their recollection skills “good”.
She said they had been “impressive” witnesses, which was the opposite to the accused Malone.
The offences committed included butting a one to the head and biting them on the hand, to their injury, between July 10 2010 and April 30 2020 in Dundee.
She was convicted of grabbing this person by their T-shirt, kicking them to the body, causing them to fall down the stairs, punching them to the body and flipping a plate of food on their body, to their injury, between January 1 2015 an October 31 2016.
She further assaulted a child, then aged 10, by seizing them by the neck, twisting their arm, slapping them, punching them, kicking them and pushing them against the wall.
She also acted in a threatening and abusive manner to that person during the same time, from January 1 2019 to July 24 2020, and slapping the first victim on the body.
Sheriff rejected accused’s account
Sheriff Drummond, reading her decision to an emotionless Malone in Dundee Sheriff Court, said: “I need to be satisfied the accused acted in the manner libelled.
“I found the young male witnesses impressive, they had good recall of events.
“While clear one of them did not wish to be in court, they gave a straightforward account.
“I heard evidence from the accused she accepts some of her behaviour.
“However, I am rejecting her description of events.
“The accused showed a poor memory for what happened, accepts she had been drinking but her explanation (one of her victims) could be making it up, I deem not to be the case.
“Therefore, I am satisfied the accused committed as libelled, all five offences.”
Defence solicitor John Boyle, in mitigation for Malone, said: “There are no previous convictions.
“She has had no contact with those involved since 2020 and has committed no further offences.”
Sheriff Drummond deferred sentence on Malone until May 24 for social work and criminal justice reports, and continued her bail.
