A father has been barred from seeing his child after being accused of burning the six-year-old boy with a cigarette.
"The only reason this came to the attention of police is because of the observation of [the child's] teacher," magistrate Ian Temby said on Saturday.
The 55-year-old man was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court after not entering pleas to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He is not named to protect the identity of his child.
Police allege the boy attended school earlier this week, when a red mark was spotted on his upper right arm.
"He indicated the mark had come from being burned with a cigarette by the defendant," Mr Temby said.
When the alleged victim spoke to police, he again said the injury had been caused by the 55-year-old.
A Canberra Hospital doctor assessed the injury as being consistent with a cigarette burn.
Mr Temby described the allegation made by the child as a serious example of family violence.
"Obviously conduct directed towards someone in the defendant's care and someone who is of an age who really can't protect himself," the magistrate said.
Noting the difficulty of the family situation and the man being the "sole breadwinner", Mr Temby ultimately granted bail with strict conditions.
According to Legal Aid lawyer Ketinia McGowan, without the father's income, his family is "unable to pay rent, unable to buy food, unable to sustain themselves financially".
The accused man cannot see or contact his son.
Mr Temby also imposed a special interim family violence order and asked the man if he had any questions about the court-ordered rules he must now follow while on conditional liberty.
"Not really. No, I'm fine thank you," he responded.
The man, who does not have a criminal history, is set to return to court next month.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
