Child allegedly beaten with belt buckle

A seven-year-old was allegedly beaten with a belt buckle by her uncle because she could not recite her multiplication table, the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court heard on Thursday.

The shocking allegations state further that the uncle ordered her to kneel on the ground for a long period of time. It was shared in court that sometime earlier this year, the complainant stayed home from school as she could not find any underwear or shorts to wear. While at home with the uncle, he asked the child to recite her 'four times table', but she could not. It is alleged that the uncle used his hand to hit the child to the right side of her face, which caused swelling and bruising and resulted in her falling.

He then allegedly went for a belt, and used the buckle to hit her in her face, shoulders and back, causing swelling and bruising. Shortly after, he told the child to kneel outside for an extended period, causing pain in her back. The uncle was remanded in custody, following his first court appearance before Parish Judge Leighton Morris.

The matter was adjourned prematurely until September 7 to facilitate the man settling legal representation.