The baby girl who was hospitalised after her father allegedly shook her while she was having a fit suffered from a fractured skull and a brain haemorrhage, a court heard today.

The three-month-old baby’s father, a 26-year-old man from Nadur, is facing criminal proceedings after being charged with seriously injuring his daughter on 17 July. The man, whose name cannot be published by court order, is pleading not guilty to the charges brought against him, insisting that he took good care of her, and his wife has backed his claim.

Three doctors who had examined the baby girl testified at the Gozo Court this morning, and Magistrate Neville Camilleri was informed that the skull fracture and the eventual bleeding could have actually caused the girl to suffer a fit.

The doctors also said that the girl had several bruises on her belly, back and forehead as well as blood at the back of her eyes, symptoms consistent with a baby that had been shaken.

The girl had been rushed to the Gozo General Hospital on Wednesday, and her condition was initially life-threatening, prompting her transfer to Mater Dei Hospital by helicopter.

Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Frank Tabone are prosecuting, while lawyer Lucio Sciriha is appearing for the defendant.