Ross-shire woman who kicked pregnant daughter in abdomen learns fate at Highland court as sheriff considers 'serious charge'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Ross-shire woman who kicked her heavily pregnant daughter in the abdomen three times has been told to keep on behaving and she will be treated leniently.
Sentence had previously been deferred on 60-year-old Elizabeth Catto of Tomich Road, Invergordon who was ordered to co-operate fully with social workers for five months.
So when she re-appeared for sentence before Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald after previously admitting assaulting her 23-year-old daughter, Tanya Mitchell in her house on February 5, 2021, her progress report was positive.
At an earlier hearing, the court heard that Ms Mitchell, who was 25 weeks pregnant at the time, was sleeping on the sofa.
Catto woke her by shaking her shoulders and there was shouting between them before Ms Mitchell pushed her mother back.
Catto then kicked her daughter in the abdomen three times.
Defence advocate Bill Adam then told the court: "My client has stopped drinking and has done good work since this offence. It was a minor assault and alcohol played a part but alcohol is no longer in her life."
Sheriff Macdonald disagreed it was a minor assault. She said: "You kicked your pregnant daughter to her abdomen which could have done serious harm to your daughter or her unborn child."
Acting for Catto in her latest court appearance, solicitor advocate Clare Russell told the court: "She has fully complied and she is undertaking a more pro-social lifestyle. She has volunteered for a local charity shop."
Deferring sentence for good behaviour until October 23, Sheriff Macdonald told Catto: "I am not prepared to admonish you on this occasion. This was a serious charge. But I am going to require you to be of good behaviour for six months to make sure you continue on this path.
"You must carry on the good work you have done lately.
"If you have been of good behaviour then I will treat you leniently," the sheriff added.
