A Hanover Park man allegedly beat his two-year-old daughter for about six hours and when she was taken to hospital the following day she was declared dead, the Athlone Magistrate’s Court heard on Monday.

Christopher Williams, 32, wearing a dirty blue tracksuit and a yellow cap, which he removed, kept his head bowed when appeared before Magistrate Keith le Keur.

The court heard that Williams apparently had an argument with his wife two weeks ago, in which he allegedly beat her before locking her in a room.

It was then that two-year-old Zoey Petersen was severely beaten.

She was taken to the Hanover Park Day Hospital only on the following day, where she was declared dead.

Williams has been charged with murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The State told Le Keur on Monday that Williams was a flight risk and that they would oppose bail.

He was arrested in Vygieskraal in Athlone after police issued an alert that they wanted to question him in connection with the incident.

The case was postponed until July 21 for his bail application and to allow him the chance to consult his Legal Aid lawyer. News24