Lady Justice (icon image) Photo: pst/hgr Ken jol htf
By Karin Hendrich
Edith R.* from Berlin-Hellersdorf has never had trouble with the judiciary in the 72 years of her life. Until her great-grandson Tim* (2) bucked on the playground…
The pensioner was now before the district court for assault. The accusation: She is said to have given the little one a hearty slap in the face. At least that’s what a witness claims to have seen.
“It wasn’t like that,” the old lady defended herself in the process. “Tim balanced with my help on the edge of the Buddelkasten.” Towards a thorny bush. She asked him: “Not there. Grandma can’t go there.”
But the little one pretended to be deaf. He acknowledged her repeated words with a good buck. “He threw himself down, took off his shoes, screamed…” She first tried to calmly explain her point of view to him.
Then, a bit unnerved, he asked: “Man, do you always have to be so angry?” And turned his face to himself. “But I didn’t hit him. Therefore, the witness cannot have seen a blow either.”
Nevertheless, she saw this woman approaching her, she brushed her down: “You abused the child!” And sent the police to her house. But the official found great-grandmother and great-grandson together in harmony.
The defendant: “We have a great relationship. I look after him more often when my granddaughter asks me. A dear little fellow. Even if he’s stubborn sometimes…” But she was generally against hits – always been.
The judge: “A slap – yes or no? Maybe it was all a misunderstanding.” Edith R. was originally supposed to pay 900 euros by penalty order. She objected to this. The judge dropped the proceedings without a fine: “You will still have learned your lessons. And you still have the legal fees.”
*name changed