Mother Filmed Son in Racial Riot | Belfast News

0:00It's September 10th. Welcome to Belfast News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. A mother of six in Belfast, who was 49 years old, was sentenced this week for child cruelty. She was caught on camera filming her then 15-year-old son, participating in racially motivated rioting in the Broadway area back in July. Police were pelted with objects during the disorder, and evidence teams captured footage of the events. The mother, Michelle Greer, was present during the two days of rioting. She watched as youths, including her son, engaged in the disorder. Instead of intervening, she was observed filming her son's actions. When questioned by police, she claimed she was only there to get her son to leave. Her guilty plea to child cruelty was based on the fact that she exposed her child to the disorder and failed to prevent his involvement. She later told a probation officer that she got caught up in the community events and acted recklessly, not with intent to harm her child.

1:00Her defense attorney highlighted that she has no prior criminal record, and that her month in custody was a harrowing experience. The judge noted the significant impact the disorder had on police and the community. By pleading guilty, Greer admitted she failed to protect her son while he was actively participating in the rioting. The judge acknowledged that Greer now shows insight into her actions, and that danger her son was exposed to. Ultimately, Greer received the 12-month prison sentence suspended for three years. The judge warned her that any reoffending within the next three years would result in her serving the suspended sentence.