A three-month-old girl suffered internal bleeding and severe bruising after her father allegedly shook her when she suffered a fit.
The child was rushed to hospital on Wednesday – initially in critical condition – while her father ended up in court yesterday charged with seriously injuring her.
The 26-year-old from Nadur pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is insisting he loves his child and takes good care of her.
Prosecuting inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Frank Tabone told the court the girl had been taken to the Gozo General Hospital where doctors certified she had internal bleeding and severe bruising.
Her condition was so bad that she was flown to Mater Dei Hospital in Malta by helicopter to receive further care.
Sources said that her condition since then has improved.
The police got involved after they received a report from Mater Dei on the injuries the child had sustained.
The incident took place at the home of the man’s parents.
The father, whose name is not being mentioned to protect the identity of the child, told the police his daughter had suffered a fit and he shook her in an attempt to bring the situation under control.
He is rebutting the accusations being made against him, insisting that he took good care of his daughter and had always had her best interests at heart.
The man’s wife, although not present in court, is backing her husband and is treating this as a small incident, Magistrate Paul Coppini was told.
Sources said no reports have been filed by the wife against her husband.
In pleas on bail, defence lawyer Lucio Sciriha, who appeared for the man, told the court there was no fear that any evidence would be tampered with as the people due to testify were medical practitioners. He also said his client had a clean police record and had never had any issues with the justice system before.
Magistrate Coppini granted the man bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.
He also issued a protection order for the girl, instructing the father not to approach his daughter.
The man will be living with his parents pending the criminal proceedings against him.