After admitting in court to causing grievous injury to his mother, a 16-year-old boy was placed on probation for a period lasting three years, together with a treatment order.

Magistrate Anthony Vella, presiding over the case, heard how the boy had punched his mother in a family dispute. The boy is due to start a course at Mcast, and was warned not to repeat his actions.

Vella stressed the gravity of the case, and cautioned against similar behaviour. Police inspector Kylie Borg prosecuted while lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace was legal aid to the accused.