A Mandurah man has avoided jail after pushing over his five-week-old daughter’s cot during a “heated argument” with his partner, causing her to fall to the floor.
The man, who is in his thirties and can not be named to protect the victim, pleaded guilty in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday to endangering the life, health or safety of another person.
Police prosecutor Tamara Read told the court the father pushed the cot over in anger about 3.30am on August 30, 2018.
This was deliberate action committed in anger towards the most vulnerable victim possible.
- Magistrate Anne Longden
“Thankfully, the child was not injured but did fall onto the floor,” she said.
After the incident, the child was taken to Peel Health Campus by both parents.
The man’s lawyer Damien Cripps told the court the father was “embarrassed and regretful”.
Mr Cripps said the man had alcohol and relationship problems and was seeking help.
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“There’s steps he needs to take to be the father and parent he wants to be,” he said.
Magistrate Anne Longden told the court the offence was “extremely serious and worrying”.
“This was deliberate action committed in anger towards the most vulnerable victim possible,” she said.
“The point of imprisonment has been reached.”
Ms Longden took into account the man’s early plea of guilty and “genuine remorse”.
He was sentenced to eight months prison, suspended for 12 months.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
