A man is to face trial accused of endangering the life of a 21-month-old toddler by holding a baby wipe in the child’s mouth, restricting its breathing.
Sharaz Hayat is also said to have put his hands, or the child’s own hands, over its mouth, also restricting the breathing, and to have inflicted injuries to the youngster’s head and body.
At a procedural hearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to assaulting the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to the danger of the child’s life.
Hayat, who appeared in the dock smartly dressed in a light blue suit, further denied a charge of assaulting his former partner on November 4 last year, by throwing a book which struck her on the head, then seizing her by the throat and compressing it.
It is alleged the assault restricted the woman’s breathing, and that she, too, was injured.
Hayat, 30, of Graham Street, Edinburgh, is also said to have made offensive remarks and threats of violence.
The incidents are said to have taken place at an address in Glenrothes, Fife.
Hayat’s solicitor, Richard Souter, said the defence needed time to obtain a report from a paediatrician in relation to the alleged incident involving the child.
He said: “There are injuries which are alleged to be non-accidental.”
Sheriff James Williamson continued the case to a further procedural hearing on September 3, when a date for Hayat’s trial by jury may be set.
He also continued Hayat’s bail.
