KEY POINTS:
The step-grandfather of the slain Rotorua three-year-old Nia Glassie has denied injuring and assaulting her.
William Curtis, 48, appeared before justices of the peace Ron Hope and Cameron McEwen in Rotorua District Court today for a depositions hearing.
His lawyer Harry Edward entered pleas of not guilty on his behalf to one charge of injuring the toddler and one of assaulting her, both alleged to have occurred between March 1 and July 1 this year.
Evidence was presented in hand-up form and Curtis was remanded on bail to reappear in Rotorua District Court on January 30 for a trial date to be set.
Five other members of Nia's extended family, including her mother Lisa Kuka, 34, have been charged in relation to her death.
Police allege Nia had been abused over a three-day period prior to being admitted to hospital where she died.
Oriwa Kemp, 17, Michael Pearson, 19 and Kuka have been charged with manslaughter while the toddler's stepfather Wiremu Curtis, 17, and uncle Michael Curtis have been charged with murder.
- NZPA
