Mum who attacked 14-year-old boy “saw red” after Mt Barker skate park altercation with son

A Mt Barker mother has escaped a criminal record for assaulting a child at a skate park after she “saw red”. Rachelle Simone Thomson, 43, told Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday she was sorry for attacking the 14-year-old on December 7 at Mt Barker’s Wilson Park. Pleading guilty to aggravated common assault, Ms Thomson told the court she felt frustrated that her son had been bullied by her victim, accusing the 14-year-old of smacking and punching her own child. “I saw red,” she said. Police prosecuting sergeant Peter Yuswack told the court Ms Thomson was filmed by onlookers approaching the boy at 4pm before grabbing the shoulder strap of his backpack. Ms Thomson lost her footing and fell to the ground after the victim pulled away from her. The 43-year-old then followed the boy across the park and struck him across the face with a closed fist, according to Sgt Yuswack, before using her thong to hit him multiple times on the torso. Her victim was “shaken” but did not receive any injuries. Ms Thomson admitted she “swung” at the 14-year-old, but told the court her swing did not connect with his face. She also disputed the allegation that she hit the boy multiple times with her thong, saying she hit him once on the arm. Sgt Yuswack accepted her version of events. Taking into account Ms Thomson had no criminal record, Magistrate Raelene Johnston granted her a spent conviction and placed her on a six-month community-based order.