Man accused of stomping, killing toddler granted bail in Supreme Court

A MAN accused of stomping and killing a toddler 10 years ago will enjoy a Christmas pudding at home after being granted bail.

Melbourne Courts. Supreme Court. Building.

A MAN accused of stomping and killing a toddler ten years ago will enjoy a Christmas pudding at home after being granted bail.

Justice Jane Dixon today granted bail to the man, who is accused of murdering the child between May 12 and 13, 2005.

The Supreme Court heard the man — whose identity is protected by a court order — allegedly kicked or stomped on the two-year-old girl in the early hours of the morning.

He denied the allegations at the time but was charged after a coroner in 2013 concluded that the child’s mother and the man were responsible for the girl's death either through their actions or inaction.

State Coroner, Judge Ian Gray, was unable to determine which adult was responsible as both refused to give evidence at the inquest.

The Supreme Court heard the victim’s sibling, now aged 14, would be a key witness in the case against the alleged killer.

The court heard his client told police the child fell off a couch and hit her head on a table.

She was taken to hospital the following day when she became visibly ill while the couple visited a cafe.

In arguing for bail, the man's barrister Dermot Dann, SC, said his client had co-operated with police at all times, had not tried to flee the country and had not committed any offences since the alleged attack.

He claimed his client’s partner — a prosecution witness — maintained she had never seen the man be violent to the children, who were not his own. The man had been brutally bashed twice while in jail despite being in protective custody.

A prosecutor for the Crown stated police had a strong case against him, but said he was satisfied his risk to the community could be acceptable with the bail provisions implemented by the court.

Justice Jane Dixon said the prosecution case appeared strong, but granted bail because of the man’s family support and his willingness to co-operate with authorities.

He will return to court for trial next year.

Originally published as Man accused of stomping, killing toddler granted bail in Supreme Court