A WOMAN from Leigh accused of child cruelty and assault has walked free from court after a judge heard that the children had lied.
Tina McDonald, aged 27, of Stout Street, had been due to face trial next month, but Liverpool Crown Court was told the 10-year-old girl and the nine-year-old boy had confessed to their grandfather that they had lied.
The girl - who had claimed that Mrs McDonald had kicked and smacked her - and the boy were questioned by police and admitted their allegations were false.
Mrs McDonald had pleaded not guilty to cruelly ill-treating them in a manner likely to cause unneccessary suffering or injury between August and November last year. She also denied assaulting them causing actual bodily harm.
Judge Gerald Clifton entered not guilty verdicts and Mrs McDonald was discharged.
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