A FOSTER carer was assaulted by the teenager she was looking after they argued about him handing over his phone.

The 15-year-old boy pushed the woman, causing her to fall backwards and hit her head, Carlisle’s Youth Court heard. The boy originally denied wrongdoing but then pleaded guilty to a common assault.

Prosecutor George Shelley outlined what happened.

He said the argument broke out on February 17 after the youth returned from visiting a friend’s house in Carlisle. After the incident, the woman was left with bruising on her left hand and to one leg.

Initially, when he was questioned, the teenager said he had acted in self-defence but on the day he was due to face a trial he pleaded guilty.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said she was now worried about being in her home alone, fearful that somebody associated with the teenager would come to her house.

“I never thought he would do something like this,” said the woman. She said the assault had affected her mental health. She spoke of having cared for the boy over a lengthy period, and hoping he would make something of himself.

But his attitude had changed over the last year, she said.

“He has become different, and non-respectful. It upsets me to see [him] taking the wrong path. I think he would be able to make it in life. I feel that he’s a good person but I want him to take responsibility.”

She said the boy was “like a son to her” and she hopes he can take the right path in his life and “become the person I know he can be in the future.”

The woman said she is now taking time out form foster caring to work out whether she can carry on in that caring role.

Defence lawyer Duncan Campbell, for the boy, said the teenager told him that he “perceived” the actions of his foster carer that day to be “aggressive.” The lawyer said: “She came towards him to grab his phone.

“His intention was to simply push her away from him.” The boy had no intention to make the woman fall or to harm her; he had simply wanted to leave. Mr Campbell added: “He very much regrets and is sorry for his actions.

“He has not had the happiest of backgrounds.” District Judge John Temperley said it was sad that the relationship between the boy and his foster carer had broken down.

Noting that the boy was now in a residential placement, the judge added: “You are 15 and have a lot of growing up to do. There is a lot in your background that explains some of your behaviour.”

The District Judge added three months to an existing three-month referral order. The boy must pay the woman £30 in compensation.