Child raped at home, court told

A two-year-old girl was raped in her County Antrim home last week, the High Court in Belfast has heard.

It was revealed during a bail application by the girl's 26-year-old mother, who cannot be named.

The woman denies charges of causing the child grievous bodily harm with intent and indecent assault. She was released on bail.

A Crown lawyer told the court that doctors concluded the toddler had been raped after they had examined her.

He said the mother had taken her child to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where she was questioned by staff and police.

The lawyer said she had told them that no-one had been in the house and that her three children had not been in anyone's care.

He added that police had established that the only person who had access to the child was the father, who was subsequently arrested and released without charge after giving samples.

The lawyer said the mother later told police that her daughter had been in the care of her paternal grandfather while she took her baby son to hospital.

He was arrested and provided swabs, but was released pending further inquiries.

During police interviews the mother had denied the allegations of ill-treatment but gave no explanation as to how her daughter's injuries were caused.

Injuries

The woman's defence lawyer said that his client knew nothing about the allegations and had broken down when told about the nature of the child's injuries.

"She vehemently denies any involvement whatsoever in this," he added.

Lord Justice Sheil released the mother on £1,500 bail and ordered her to have no contact with her children without the consent of social services who are now caring for them.

The mother was also banned from making contact with her child's paternal grandfather.