Adelaide father who allegedly bashed infant child offers $300k in home equity to secure bail

An Adelaide father who allegedly seriously injured his baby has offered up his home in an attempt to secure bail, a court has heard.

An Adelaide father accused of bashing his infant daughter to the point she was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy has pleaded with a Supreme Court judge to release him on home detention bail, offering a cash surety in excess of $300,000.

On Thursday, the man, who a court has heard has a multimillion-dollar portfolio of luxury cars and houses, “offered all of the equity” in his name during his appearance before Justice Sandi McDonald.

Marie Shaw KC, for the man – whose identity is suppressed – told the court there were also six guarantors willing to offer cash to help secure bail – including his wife and an ABC personality.

“Our position, Your Honour, is that our client has no other ability or cash resources and is offering all of the equity in the home – over $300,000,” Ms Shaw said. “In our respectful submission, that is a significant equity.

“This is a case where the accused does have the presumption of bail, and the presumption of innocence.

“The delay in this matter, in terms of before it reaches trial, will be at least two years and that is such a significant period bearing in mind that he has no prior convictions.”

The man being escorted into court after his arrest. Picture: 7NEWS

The man, a father of five, is charged with one count of criminal neglect and one court of aggravated causing harm with intent. He is yet to enter a plea.

It’s alleged the man was looking after his three-month-old baby on October 13 when he dropped her from a height of 1.3m.

The baby remained in hospital for six weeks after sustaining a number of injuries, including a skull fracture, spinal fractures, retinal damage and brain bleeding.

The injuries were “more consistent with high impact – such as being thrown into a wall – rather than being dropped in a straight line”, prosecution alleged at his first appearance.

On Thursday, Justice McDonald said the man, and his family, had a “history” of lies.

Earlier this year, they claimed they were suffering “financial hardship” while he was in custody, despite financial records unearthing a war chest of millions.

“The difficulty for me is there’s been a history of dishonesty by your client’s family – in terms of what happened when he was on bail previously and, in my view, what has been put to me in some of the submissions,” Justice McDonald said.

“These are the people who are all going to suffer if he breaches bail,” Ms Shaw told the court.

The prosecution maintained its opposition to bail on all forms.

Justice McDonald adjourned the matter to next week, after Ms Shaw said she was willing to bring each guarantor to court and have them give evidence.

Originally published as Adelaide father who allegedly bashed infant child offers $300k in home equity to secure bail