Parents can't be named in child assault case

A couple have appeared in court accused of knocking their teenage daughter’s head against a wall as well as hitting her with a slipper and belt buckle.

The mother and father, in their 40s and from Douglas were made the subject of reporting restrictions which prevent them being identified when they appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

The woman is accused of assault between December 1 and 22 last year, while the man faces one count of wilfully assaulting a child between the same dates – both entered not guilty pleas.

Barry Swain, prosecuting, told the hearing the couple were particularly religious and caught their daughter using a mobile phone for non-medical purposes.

As punishment, they’re said to have forced her into a praying position for a long period before dragging her around the bedroom banging her against a wall.

The girl is said to have suffered injuries during what was described as “a catalogue of over-chastisement”.

Both were bailed in the sum of £500 with a condition not to contact their alleged victim, and they’ll next appear on June 15 at a pre-trial review.