Derry Court: Man (43) charged with child cruelty towards his own child

A 43-year-old man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with child cruelty towards his own child.

The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child admitted a series of charges that occurred on July 17.

He admitted one charge of child cruelty, one charge of common assault, a charge of disorderly behaviour on the Northland Road and two possessing drug charges. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was pleading guilty and asked for bail to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared. 

A police officer told the court that police were not objecting to bail with certain conditions.

The officer said that they wanted bail to an address approved by the PSNI and also where there was no one under the age of 18 in residence. 

The defendant will also be subject to a curfew and wear a tag, he is to avoid all alcohol and drugs and not to have any contact with his child unless approved by Social Services. 

He will appear again on August 10 and the pre-sentence report should be ready for September 15.