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.