A St Catherine mother who reportedly tied up her teenage son to a soursop tree, and poured hot water on him pleaded guilty when she appeared in court yesterday.

The woman, a 43-year-old labourer, of Guanoboa Vale, St Catherine, was before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on charges of cruelty to child and assault occasioning bodily harm.

When the matter was mentioned, she pleaded guilty with explanation.

"Your Honour, the bwoy just jumped up and decided that him want to go hussle. The cup of hot water was in my hand and it dash weh pon him head," she said.

Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green said she did not believe the accused. The accused was granted bail in the sum of $60,000 to reappear in court on June 18 for sentencing.

The court heard that on April 6, the accused tied the complainant to a soursop tree. She then poured hot water to the back of his head, forehead and also inside his mouth.

The matter was reported to Constable Damion Thompson, and she was charged with cruelty to child and assault occasioning bodily harm.