A West Wollongong father has been refused bail after neighbours allegedly saw him strangle his young daughter.
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The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the girl, appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday where he was visibly distressed following his arrest on Wednesday night.
Documents tendered to court said a neighbour heard a series of slapping noises, which grew louder, followed by a child crying that turned to screaming about 8pm.
She became concerned and went outside before she allegedly saw the man with both hands around the girl's neck choking her, while on their balcony. The neighbour allegedly heard the man yelling in Arabic at the girl, who was gasping for air and unable to speak.
The father allegedly began slapping the girl's body with an open hand. He then allegedly walked inside, closing the door behind him, while the girl lay motionless on her back on the balcony floor.
The neighbour yelled to try to raise the girl, believed to be unconscious, before her mother came outside to help her up.
Police and ambulance arrived and officers spoke to the emotional witnesses, before they went to the family's unit.
The girl denied the allegation instead claiming she and her father were playing, "hide and seek". However police allege the girl's mother directed her to say that.
The woman also denied the incident, and the girl did not have visible injuries, documents said.
Police arrested the man before he was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with intentionally choking a person with recklessness and common assault.
The documents said the witnesses were independent from the family and "vividly recall seeing the incident take place".
The man does not speak English and has no previous criminal history.
In court yesterday, defence lawyer Greg Melrose said his client denied the allegations, claiming the witnesses "misconstrued what occurred".
Mr Melrose said his client had not had time to arrange a place to stay but was willing to comply with the conditions of an interim apprehended violence order and agreed to not see his daughter.
The man continued to shout out, using an interpreter, through the proceedings claiming he was innocent and did not want to stay in custody.
Magistrate Susan McGowan denied the man bail as the allegations were "too serious".
The case was adjourned to today so the man can organise a residential address.
Read more court and crime stories here.
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