Child abuse accused back in court

File photo / Greg Bowker

A man charged with assaulting his nine-year-old daughter in a high-profile abuse case was back in court today.

The 32-year-old, whose name is suppressed to protect the child's identity, appeared in Auckland District Court today for a callover.

He faces three charges of assaulting the girl. Two of them allege the use of a weapon, namely a vacuum cleaner pipe and a broomstick.

He was remanded in custody and will reappear in court on April 27.

The girl's 31-year-old mother faces 33 charges of abusing her daughter.

The charges against the woman include assault on the girl with a machete and hammer, kicking her in the genital area while wearing work boots, tearing her toenail off and pouring salt on the bleeding toe, writing abusive comments on her body, immersing her in a hot bath in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering, denying her medical treatment and withholding food.

She is also accused of assaulting her seven-year-old son with an unknown object, and dragging him around by his neck.

The girl was found hiding in a cupboard, starving, dehydrated and covered in countless injuries.

The woman's lawyer Joanne Wickliffe indicated at her most recent appearance that negotiations with the Crown towards resolving the matter and avoiding a trial were continuing.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has ordered an investigation into Child, Youth and Family and other agencies' interactions with the family and the chid.

- NZPA