A Gozitan teenager was yesterday sent for treatment to the mental section of the Gozo General Hospital after being charged with locking his mother inside her house and taking the keys.

On Saturday, the 17-year-old from Xewkija was charged with assaulting his mother.

He pleaded not guilty and Magistrate Paul Coppini, presiding over the Gozo court, granted him bail.

The next day, however, the youth insisted he wanted to leave home and go and live with his aunt. His mother refused his request and he allegedly locked all the doors of the house with his mother inside.

The youth's sister managed to escape through a window and went to the nearest police station to report what was happening. The police went to the house immediately and arrested the young man, police sources said.

He appeared before Magistrate Coppini yesterday charged with illegally arresting his mother and holding her against her will.

Magistrate Coppini ordered that the teenager be given psychiatric treatment.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted.

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