A Berry man who allegedly assaulted four children has been refused bail.
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The 30-year-old man, who can’t be named for legal reasons, fronted Nowra Local Court on multiple assault charges on Wednesday.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad launched an investigation after a three-year-old boy presented to Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital with injuries on October 3.
Police allege the man assaulted the boy, a 10-year-old girl and two seven-year-old girls, who were all known to him. He was also charged with stalking and intimidating another person with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm on October 6.
The man was arrested at a Shoalhaven property about 9.30pm on Tuesday and taken to Nowra police station.
On Wednesday, the man faced court on two counts of causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent, three counts of common assault, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm.
The man was refused bail due to the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the case and the threat of danger to alleged victims.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming denied bail as it has been alleged the victims were the man’s own children and stepchildren. The string of charges date from January, 2014 to October 6 this year.
It is alleged one of his young victims sustained a fractured dislocation to their elbow on August 4, 2016. The man was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
It is alleged the man assaulted another child causing actual bodily harm on two separate occasions in April, 2017 at Nowra.
Earlier this year, in Bomaderry, it is alleged the man assaulted a child, the third mentioned in the case, on New Year’s Day and on February 28.
More recently, he allegedly assaulted his own child, causing actual bodily harm in Bomaderry on June 4.
The case has been adjourned, and the man will reappear at Nowra Local Court on December 10.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is made up of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.