A FUMING mother who attacked a school student at Murray High was filmed during the assault and is now banned from the school.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Glenroy mother-of-four Sally Burnside had assured the principal she wouldn’t attack the young girl, aged 13.
The 35-year-old had gone to the high school to talk about apparent bullying her daughter had been subjected to, but ended up attacking the teenager.
“It’s OK, I’m not going to touch her,” Burnside said to the principal only moments before walking over to her.
She pulled her down by her hair for about 20 seconds, leading to the girl screaming in pain.
The principal and Burnside’s ex-partner tried to get her off and she eventually let go before leaving the school.
The girl reported the matter to police later that day.
Officers were given phone footage of the attack.
Burnside appeared before Albury Local Court on Monday for sentencing for the June 25 incident.
She had admitted to police what occurred, but said it was in retaliation for something that occurred a day earlier.
Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim said it “appears to be an attempt by the defendant to improperly and inappropriately support her daughter”.
Lawyer Angus Lingham said the 35-year-old been frustrated with the way her daughter’s matter was handled by the school.
“My client had grave concerns for her 14-year-old daughter’s mental state,” he said.
“My client admits she did the wrong thing.
“He actions were a result of genuine concern for her daughter.”
Mr Abdul-Karim said the attack was aggravated by the fact it was against a minor, and on school grounds.
“Put simply, ma’am, your behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.
While the magistrate noted she loved her daughter, “none of that excuses what you’ve done”.
He said her behaviour at times was worse than what the victim was alleged to have done to her daughter and would normally result in a jail term.
The court heard Burnside was a single mother suffering postnatal depression and sleep deprivation.
She was convicted and placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond, with a $300 fine.
She is also banned from going to the school and going within five metres of the young victim’s home.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here