Ananova :

A mother of seven has admitted attacking her teenage daughter with a hot iron after catching her smoking.

The 38-year-old, of Brisbane, Australia, left the 14-year-old with severe burns to her hands, arms and face.

She pleaded guilty to assault at Brisbane District Court and was given a 12-month suspended sentence.

Judge Warren Howell told the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, she had been a responsible and clean-living mother.

He said it was clear the family had strong Christian principles, but it was an unusual case and the attack had a "touch of cruelty" about it.

The court heard she had faced many problems in her life, including her eldest son using heroin, which had affected her "mental state".

Last updated: 14:35 Friday 30th March 2001

• World
• Australia
• Crime
• Assaults
• Smoking

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