A 26-year-old man from Gozo was this morning accused of seriously injuring his three-month-old daughter who was hospitalised and found to have internal bleeding and severe bruising.

The man, who pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, claims his daughter suffered a fit while she was in his care and he shook her in an attempt to control her.

The police were involved after they received a report from Mater Dei Hospital on the injuries the child had sustained.

The man, who is not being mentioned to protect the identity of the child, is rebutting the accusations levelled against him. He is insisting that he loves his child and takes good care of her.

The man’s wife, although not present in court, is backing her husband and is treating this as a small incident.

Magistrate Paul 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, ordering the father not to approach his daughter.

Lawyer Lucio Sciriha appeared for the accused.