Mum admits injuring baby son

A Motueka mother has admitted intentionally hurting her baby son, which led to the boy sustaining severe permanent brain damage.

Cassandra Albert, 21, pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide the necessities of life for her four-month-old son when she appeared in the Nelson District Court yesterday.

Albert also pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of causing grievous bodily harm to the baby with reckless disregard for his safety. A previous charge of wounding with intent was dropped.

The court previously heard Albert's son suffered serious non-accidental injuries including a fractured skull and brain damage over Labour Weekend last year.

Help was not sought for the baby for more than eight hours even though the baby was suffering seizures and sweating so badly his clothes needed changing at least three times during the day to keep him comfortable.

Lawyer John Sandston said Albert wanted it recorded she was extremely sorry for what had happened.

Her guilty pleas were entered on the final day of a depositions hearing yesterday, after a hearing last month was adjourned until yesterday.

Albert was jointly charged with intentionally injuring her son and failing to provide the necessities of life for him with her partner and the baby's father, Newton Samuel Moki, 30.

Moki admitted failing to provide the necessities of life to his son in the Blenheim District Court on Monday. A charge against him of wounding with intent was dropped.

Justices of the Peace Harry Baigent and Cathy Night remanded Albert on bail for sentencing on July 22. Moki is to be sentenced at the same time.

- Nelson Mail