Man, 43, refused bail after allegedly using cattle prod on two children

A Central Coast man, 43, has been charged with allegedly using a cattle prod to “teach a child a lesson”, a court has heard.

Cattle prods are often used by stockmen such as this cowboy (pictured) to muster heavy beasts, not to discipline children. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

A man allegedly “admitted” to police to using a cattle prod to “teach a child a lesson” after officers were called to a home following concerns about the welfare of two children, a court has heard.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Wyong Local Court on Wednesday after being charged with two counts of common assault, hindering and assaulting police and intentionally sexually touching a child.

The man’s Legal Aid solicitor applied for bail, telling the court he was living with a serious injury to his neck and back, which meant he couldn’t work and was awaiting surgery.

She told the court he could possibly be left “paralysed” if an operation to remove two discs from his spine was not successful and that he could live with a friend at Newcastle.

His Legal Aid solicitor said while the man made certain “admissions” to police about allegedly using a cattle prod to discipline two children he was contesting the intentionally sexual touching charge because any contact with the victim may have been “accidental” when he was tickling her.

The man, 43, faced Wyong Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: supplied.

She said the man was receiving injury compensation and paid a significant amount of money to a former partner in child support for his biological children.

The police prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court the man admitted to police that he used the cattle prod “to teach a child a lesson”.

A cattle prod similar to that allegedly used.

The court heard police were called to a Central Coast address about 5.30pm on Tuesday, February 14, following concerns for two children.

Summarising a set of police facts, Magistrate Justin Peach said when officers arrived the man allegedly refused to let them in before allegedly assaulting two of the officers.

After arresting him, Magistrate Peach said police spoke to two children who said they had allegedly been “disciplined regularly” with a cattle prod in the two years between January 1, 2021 and Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Magistrate Peach said a cattle prod was found at the address.

He refused the man bail and adjourned his matter to February 27.