Australian man slices partner’s mouth

SYDNEY - An Australian man sliced open both sides of his partner’s mouth, cut her tongue in half and beat her with a rum bottle after she refused to repair their relationship, a court was told Monday.

Mohamed Tasleem Tahir, 21, is now in custody and faces charges of torture, committing acts intended to disfigure and causing grievous bodily harm to 20-year-old Catherine Jessica Cameron in Gold Coast city in Queensland.

He was produced in the Southport Magistrates Court Monday, but made no application for bail, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Police said the woman fled South Australia state and came to Gold Coast six months ago, leaving Tahir and changing her name and phone number.

She told police Tahir confronted her at her house around 1.30 a.m. Saturday, wanting to repair their relationship.

Tahir beat Cameron repeatedly with a bottle before pulling out a knife, holding it to her throat then putting it in her mouth, slicing her cheeks open and cutting her tongue in half, police said.

He also tried to strangle Cameron on a bed, and hearing her screams, neighbours alerted police.

The case was adjourned till Nov 26, and Tahir was ordered to appear on videolink from prison.