Father to face child cruelty trial

A TWEED HEADS father has been committed to stand trial over alleged cruelty to his “special needs” teenage son.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with cruelty to children under 16 years last year after he allegedly harmed the boy who was in his care between June and September 2016.

The charge relates to denying the child, now 15, either proper food, clothing, medical treatment, accommodation or care.

The father-of-two answered “no sir” when asked by Magistrate Christopher Callaghan if he wished to say anything before being committed to trial, in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday.

Lawyer for the man Steve Cavanagh told the court the offences had some “context”.

He said the victim child was a “highly special needs child” who “demands very meticulous care”.

He told the court the mother of the child had asked the father to look after his son because she was going through a “difficult period”.

He said there was “no malice” between the pair following the charges.

The man’s bail conditions were changed to allow him to see the alleged victim and another teenage boy, who is also his son, with the written consent of their mother.