Court rejects bid to have case against William Tyrrell's foster mum thrown out

A court has rejected a bid from William Tyrrell's foster parents to have the case against the foster mother thrown out on mental health grounds.

The foster parents were charged with common assault and stalking and intimidation of a child, who is not William, in November last year.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

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A psychologist's report revealed the woman has depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The report also uncovered allegations the woman hit the girl with a wooden spoon, made her sit in time out for 44 minutes, and kicked her in the thigh before subjecting her to a "15-minute tirade of verbal abuse".

Police say they bugged the foster parents' home and those recordings will form part of their evidence.

The magistrate questioned today whether there is a "strong prosecution case".

"I don't know whether there is a particularly strong prosecution case," the magistrate said.

"These exchanges often occur between parents and children in a family setting."

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The prosecution responded: "The need for general deterrence looms large when there's going to be a high degree of media interest."

The magistrate then told the court if he were to sentence the woman today he would record a criminal conviction.

The matter and any sentence will be determined in January when the foster parents face court again.