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Scalding case jury is discharged | Scalding case jury is discharged |
(10 minutes later) | |
The jury in the trial of a woman accused of pouring boiling water over her son has been discharged after new information came to light. | The jury in the trial of a woman accused of pouring boiling water over her son has been discharged after new information came to light. |
Judge Philip Richards told the jury at Cardiff Crown Court the information could have a huge bearing on the case. | Judge Philip Richards told the jury at Cardiff Crown Court the information could have a huge bearing on the case. |
He said it was a matter of deep regret but that he had to discharge the jury. | He said it was a matter of deep regret but that he had to discharge the jury. |
A mother, from Ely in Cardiff - who cannot be named for legal reasons - has denied pouring boiling water over her five-year-old son 11 years ago. | A mother, from Ely in Cardiff - who cannot be named for legal reasons - has denied pouring boiling water over her five-year-old son 11 years ago. |
The source of the new information was not revealed, but the judge said it would have to be investigated. | The source of the new information was not revealed, but the judge said it would have to be investigated. |
The woman, 35, previously told the court she had been about to pour water over an ants' nest when she accidentally lost control of the kettle. | The woman, 35, previously told the court she had been about to pour water over an ants' nest when she accidentally lost control of the kettle. |
Called for help | Called for help |
Her son, now 16, suffered 21% burns. | Her son, now 16, suffered 21% burns. |
She said she had the kettle in one hand and ant powder in the other, when she heard her son and two-year-old daughter coming into the kitchen. | She said she had the kettle in one hand and ant powder in the other, when she heard her son and two-year-old daughter coming into the kitchen. |
She told the court she had called for help as soon as she noticed her son's top was "steaming wet". | She told the court she had called for help as soon as she noticed her son's top was "steaming wet". |
When asked why she had told the hospital the boy had pulled the kettle on top of himself while playing Power Rangers she replied: "I was scared of losing my baby. I was terrified he would be taken off me." | When asked why she had told the hospital the boy had pulled the kettle on top of himself while playing Power Rangers she replied: "I was scared of losing my baby. I was terrified he would be taken off me." |
On Tuesday the court heard how the five-year-old boy had received "horrific scalding" burns to his chest and back. | On Tuesday the court heard how the five-year-old boy had received "horrific scalding" burns to his chest and back. |
She then called me into the kitchen and said 'Sorry kid, but I've got to do this' Son giving evidence | |
The incident only came to light when the boy told his father nine years later he had not pulled the kettle on himself, the jury was told. | The incident only came to light when the boy told his father nine years later he had not pulled the kettle on himself, the jury was told. |
The prosecution claimed she had scalded her son to stop him constantly asking questions about his father, and afterwards had told him: "You say I did this and I will kill myself." | The prosecution claimed she had scalded her son to stop him constantly asking questions about his father, and afterwards had told him: "You say I did this and I will kill myself." |
The boy said in evidence: "I was crying on the sofa because of what she'd said about my dad. | The boy said in evidence: "I was crying on the sofa because of what she'd said about my dad. |
"She was in the kitchen and she flipped the kettle on three or four times. | "She was in the kitchen and she flipped the kettle on three or four times. |
"She then called me into the kitchen and said 'Sorry kid, but I've got to do this.' | "She then called me into the kitchen and said 'Sorry kid, but I've got to do this.' |
"She then tipped the contents of the kettle over me." | "She then tipped the contents of the kettle over me." |
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