Nia Glassie}’s portrait

Nia Glassie

  • Died Aug 03, 2007
  • New Zealand
What did they do to this little girl? Why didn't anyone love her? Why didn't anyone stop the abuse?
More »

About

From Onenews

Child witness tells of Nia's abuse
Oct 23, 2008 7:23 PM

A child witness has told a jury Nia Glassie's tormentors would not let her rest because they liked hurting her.

Five people face a range of charges from assault to murder over the death of the three-year-old Rotorua girl in August 2007.

It is alleged she suffered months of misery and abuse.
 
On Thursday, the court heard what alleged child abuse and torment looks like through the eyes of a child.

The child saw what the Crown says was a death blow to Nia Glassie.

The witness told the court brothers Michael and Wiremu Curtis kicked the little girl three times in the head, as hard as a rock, and then Nia started to fall asleep.  

The video interview with the child was conducted by a specialist at Child Youth and Family a day after Nia was admitted to hospital in a coma.

The witness says Nia was smashed up by the Curtis brothers every day.

Every time she makes a mistake, the witness says, they get her and do body-slamming on her.  They pick her up and slam dunk her on the ground.

The child says the worst thing was Nia being hoisted up and lifted to the ceiling and dropped to the floor. 

The witness was also there when the little girl was allegedly shoved into a tumble drier. The jury was told Nia went round and round until her head bled. 

The child says they "just stuffed her in. They turned it on for about five minutes. They turned it off and she was hot, boiling hot.

The Curtis brothers have been charged with murdering the toddler while another three, including the dead girl's mother Lisa Kuka, are charged with manslaughter.

Kuka was at work when it is alleged the fatal kicks were delivered.

The witness says Nia Glassie's mother had seen the ill-treatment of her daughter but did nothing about it. 

The trial began its fourth day at midday Thursday with 11 jurors after a juror was discharged by Justice Judith Potter.

See All memories »

Memories

BABY NIA

Lorna Oct 30, 2008

Baby Nia you have never been far from our hearts since you left this earth you are special angel in all of our hearts. so sad that your life was robbed from you at such a young age
Aroha Nui

Beautiful Nia

Avis Fraser Oct 27, 2008

Rest in peace wee girl. Your life was too short. I believe you are in a happy place now where you are truely loved and looked after as a child should be. Your smile is embedded in my memory for it is so precious and I hope you are forever smiling now.
xoxoxoxoxo

Baby Nia

Penz Oct 24, 2008

Nothing can bring you back but know that your short life has allowed for adults especially to speak up when our babies are being hurt and killed. Have fun playing with the angels Baby Girl :) We love you xxx

Share your own memory now

To leave a memory, fill in the fields below

 *
 *
Icon

Choose an icon from the set

Find out for whom People are Tweeting their Respects
See All Visitors »

Visitors

Visited just now

Sandra Holland

Australia

Visited Nov 06, 2009

Mark Stoneley

WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom

Visited Nov 04, 2009

Tribute Creator

Laurie

    Adelaide, Australia

    Visited Nov 11, 2009