Yellowknife (Dec 03/04) - A woman accused of beating her daughter with a broomstick will not be allowed to have contact with the young girl, a judge ruled earlier this week.

The woman and her husband made a brief appearance in territorial court Tuesday morning, requesting to change an order barring the woman from seeing her daughter.

Chief Judge Michel Bourassa denied the request, saying the order was put in place to protect the eight-year-old girl.

The woman is facing two charges of assault with a weapon. The allegations stem from two separate incidents: one on Dec. 1, 2003, and on Oct. 30, 2004.

Crown attorney Loretta Colton opposed the request, saying social workers "have concerns" about the girl's safety.

Colton also told the court the girl was afraid of her mother and cried when faced with the prospect of spending time alone with the woman.

The girl is currently in the custody of her father, who said he could not afford separate residences for his wife and daughter.

"The Crown has got more money than I have," the man said in court. "I cannot support two households."

The woman is scheduled to make another appearance in territorial court on Dec. 7 to speak to the charges.