13 Feb 2009

Man charged over lifting child by the head

5:59 am on 13 February 2009

A 20-year-old man has appeared in the Christchurch District Court accused of willfully ill-treatment by lifting a child by the head, though police say it may have been a playful gesture.

Terrence Matthew Rangianoa Biddle was arrested after police published a photo from security camera footage in The Press showing a man lifting the child by the head.

Christchurch District Court was told on Thursday that the incident happened last month at a Christchurch bus stop.

However, police told Judge Michael Crosbie it was an unusual situation and say it was likely the lift may have been a playful gesture.

Mr Biddle was granted bail and will appear in court again next week.