Kenny Choi: Blinky Bill Early Learning Centre worker charged with assault after allegedly shaking boy
A worker has been charged after he allegedly “forcibly” shook a young child at a Canberra day care centre.
Canberra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Canberra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Canberra drink driver did a poo in his pants after a spicy curry
- Group of women could help with probe into violent bikie killing
- Revealed: Queanbeyan tradie the ‘kingpin’ of alleged drug syndicate
A childcare worker has been sacked, spent the morning in the police lockup and has been charged with assault after allegedly “forcibly” shaking a young boy at the Blinky Bill Early Learning Centre in Canberra’s south.
Kyong Shik Choi, also known as Kenny Choi, 46, appeared briefly in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was charged with a single count of common assault.
Choi, of Throsby in the ACT, is accused of grabbing a five-year-old boy by the collar, forcing him to the ground and forcibly shaking him against a fence about eight times.
During the alleged assault, the child picked up a mat and hit Choi in the face.
The child had been throwing plastic blocks over the fence, according to a police statement of facts.
Choi’s alleged assault on the child was seen by a passing walker, who called out to Choi when she spotted him shaking the boy.
It is alleged Choi immediately stopped shaking the boy, who ran away crying.
The woman reported Choi to the manager of the centre.
In court documents, police allege Choi admitted to the manager he pushed the child down after seeing him throw plastic blocks.
Choi allegedly admitted to the manager that his behaviour was inappropriate but said he was protecting himself from the child, who he said kicked him and spat at him.
In an interview with police, the child said “Kenny pushed him up against the fence which made him sad and angry”, according to a summary of the interview in court documents.
Choi fronted the Belconnen Police Station on Tuesday morning, where he accepted the opportunity to give an interview, which he declined to continue after speaking with a lawyer.
In court on Tuesday, Choi’s legal aid lawyer Solitaire Zahnleiter said Choi, a married father of one who is originally from South Korea, had no criminal history and didn’t pose a risk to the community.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker granted Choi bail.
He returns to court in three weeks when he is expected to enter a plea.