A man was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of his partner’s baby girl when he allegedly threw her into a cot and caused her critical injuries at their Ħamrun home.

The girl, who underwent an operation yesterday, is 10 months old and the 27-year-old unemployed man from Żabbar is not her father.

In a separate sitting, the 24-year-old mother, who was born in Romania but lives in Malta, was charged with neglect of her three children. Both pleaded not guilty.

The man was remanded in custody and the mother was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000. They cannot be named by court order.

The alleged incident took place at 5am on Friday and the baby was taken to hospital.

During the sitting yesterday, Inspector Chris Pullicino said the baby was being operated upon and was fighting for her life. The court has appointed expert Mario Scerri to examine the girl. Sources told this newspaper that, apart from life-threatening head injuries, in recent weeks the girl had suffered other injuries to her head and leg.

The children were living in dirty conditions and had been placed under a care order. Sources said the man tried to blame the mother for the incident and has been charged with lying under oath.

He was also accused of neglecting his partner’s two other children, both aged under 12, and with being in possession of cocaine, cannabis grass and resin.

Meanwhile, the girl’s mother was charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis. The woman was ordered not to contact any witnesses, who include her children.

A probation officer was appointed by the court to follow her up and periodically test her for any illegal substance.

Inspectors Pullicino, Sylvana Briffa and Edel Mary Camilleri prosecuted. Lawyer Joseph Mizzi appeared for the accused.