Heater abuse case: Man remanded in custody again

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The man accused of burning a 5-year-old child's face with a fan heater has again been remanded in custody.

The boy suffered severe third degree burns from his eyebrows to his chin and will require extensive skin grafts in the alleged July 20 attack.

Police and social agencies have been shocked by the child's injuries, which occurred at a house in the Shirley area of Christchurch.

The 46-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after allegedly holding a fan heater to the side of the boy's face.

The man, who has name suppression, appeared at Christchurch District Court today.
Judge Phillip Moran remanded him in custody without plea until a new hearing date on September 9.

Detective Sergeant Darren Folau, of the police child protection unit, earlier described it as a "horrific'' case.

But he was amazed by the boy's "remarkable resilience''.

Southern regional director Kelly Anderson said Child, Youth and Family have been working closely with police to support the child and family.

"This is a deeply distressing case where a child was seriously injured in a horrendous manner,'' she said.

"Our main concern is to help this child and protect them from further harm.''