Ohio kidnap accused denied daughter visits in jail

An OHIO judge has rejected a surprise request from Cleveland kidnapping accused Ariel ­Castro to have visits in jail from his six-year-old daughter, fathered with a woman allegedly held captive in his house.

Ariel Castro surprised lawyers with his request. Picture: AP

Castro was barely audible yesterday at a court hearing when he asked the judge to see his daughter, appearing to catch his own lawyers off guard.

Cuyahoga County Judge Michael Russo immediately refused to lift a “no contact” order with the girl, who escaped with her mother Amanda Berry from Castro’s house on 6 May.

“It is not appropriate,” Judge Russo said to Castro’s request.

The judge said two psychiatrists had found Castro competent to stand trial on more than 329 charges of rape, kidnapping and murder for holding three women captive for about a ­decade.