Donovon Pottinger from Parkes Road, St Andrew, who is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, is to return to court on July 14 for mention.

According to reports, on May 18, about 5:30 a.m., the 13-year-old complainant was at home getting ready for school when her stepmother told her to unplug a curling iron she had plugged in earlier. She immediately unplugged the iron and plugged it into another socket.

Subsequently, her stepmother hissed her teeth leading her father to believe it was her. Because of this he allegedly boxed and punched her several times in the face. He also used a belt to hit her on the left eye causing bruises and swelling to the area.

Further allegations are that when he realised that he had hit the child in the eye he said, "Yuh shoulda blind."

The matter was later reported to the police and he was arrested and charged.