A man accused of sexually abusing a child allegedly attacked her stepfather with a hammer, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors claimed the 30-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke the man's finger after breaking into the family's home in west Belfast.
A judge also heard the accused appears "fixated" with the girl, allegedly stating he will wait for her to be old enough to form a relationship.
He is charged with multiple sexual assault offences against her on dates between 2014 and 2018, when she was aged under 13.
Further counts of aggravated burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon relate to an encounter at the house last August.
A Crown lawyer claimed the defendant forced his way into the property armed with a hammer.
She said the family living there ran to the kitchen in an attempt to get away from him.
But it was alleged that he struck the girl's stepfather with the hammer, breaking one of his fingers.
A fingernail had to be removed when he was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment to the injury, the court heard.
The accused was arrested later that day at another location in Belfast. A small knife was said to have been found on him.
Opposing his application for bail, the prosecution lawyer said: "Most concerning is that he seems to be fixated with the child victim in this case.
"He stated that he loves her and will wait for her to become old enough to have a relationship."
Concerns were also expressed that the wider community may take action against him.
"There's strong public feeling about the offences, and information received by police indicating these threats are quite credible," the Crown lawyer said.
Defence counsel Michael Forde confirmed the aggravated burglary charge is denied, claiming instead that the accused was asked to the house to talk about the sexual assault allegations.
"When he was invited in a cup of tea was thrown around him," Mr Forde submitted.
"He was there to try to discuss the matters with the family and was concerned for his own safety."
The barrister revealed his client suffers from paranoia and depression, having abused cannabis from the age of 15.
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This is a man who would get much better help in the community," he insisted.
Adjourning the bail application, the judge requested medical reports and a possible forensic psychiatrist examination to deal with the issue of risk management.
