Dad accused of murder claims he bit, shook infant for cultural reasons

Kissing a child on the cheek does not cause bruises, court told. Photo / 123RF

A Sydney man who said he bit and shook his baby daughter for cultural reasons has been refused bail on a charge of murdering the 2-month-old girl.

The girl died of catastrophic brain injury on November 13, 2015.

In the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Natalie Adams refused bail for the 35-year-old father, who cannot be identified and who was on a bridging visa at the time, saying at the very least the Crown case for manslaughter was strong.

His lawyer told the court the kissing, biting and shaking was done in a "misguided" attempt to assist the baby.

The judge said a friend noticed bruising on the baby's cheek days before her death.

The father had responded by saying: "I love her too much, what can I do?"

The prosecutor on Tuesday said it was "nonsense" to say kissing a child on the cheek caused a bruise.

Authorities visited the home in October after a notification about the risk of serious harm to the baby and mother, but concluded the family was safe.

The mother reported that the baby had been giggling and responsive but started crying, and the father held the infant while she went to the kitchen to prepare a bottle.

Suddenly she heard a loud scream, then dead silence.

The father allegedly looked shocked, then they called emergency services and the infant was taken to hospital where she later died.

She had bruises on her body and marks that were consistent with bite. The cause of death was a catastrophic head injury.

In relation to the baby's rib injuries, the father allegedly said that about a week before she died he had dropped her while putting her in the bath.

"The mother said she had not seen the baby completely naked for some time as [the father] would not allow her to bathe the victim," the judge said.

The father is due to be arraigned in the Supreme Court on April 6.