DISABLED BOY'S MUM WELCOMES GUILTY VERDICT

Sonya Hall from Fernagh described the assault by 61-year-old Rose Manson, who was supposed to be looking after 11-year-old Daryl on the journey, as "disgusting."

Manson, from Orkney Drive in Ballymena, denied assaulting Daryl Hall, now aged 12, in the back of a taxi on September 4 2009. However, at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday (September 30) she was convicted of aggravated assault on a boy under 14 years.

Daryl, a pupil at Hill Croft School in New Mossley, has severe learning difficulties and is unable to speak.

Manson, who at the time of the incident was employed by a private taxi firm as an escort for children with learning difficulties travelling on journeys to and from the respite care unit, will be sentenced later this month.

"My husband, family and I have been devastated by the events that took place last year," Mrs Hall told the Times.

"We're pleased in a way with the outcome of the court case, but this should never have been able to happen in the first place.

"Daryl was only 11 when this happened. He has severe learning disabilities and has no verbal communication - what she did was terrible.

"I don't know how this woman could do this to a disabled child - it's absolutely disgusting," she added.

Sentencing in the case was adjourned until October 28 to allow Manson's solicitor to submit pre-sentence reports.