World · East Asia & Pacific · 45 mins ago
Perth police officer sentenced for shaking his five-week-old daughter
A Perth police officer shook his five-week-old daughter three times after she would not settle during the night.
Nickolas Wayne Peake, 30, pleaded guilty to common assault in circumstances of aggravation in Midland Magistrates Court.
The court heard that sleep loss and difficulties feeding and settling the baby had added to the strain on Peake and his wife after a difficult birth.
Peake was sentenced to a community-based order; the available account does not give its terms.
The magistrate described the incident as a betrayal of trust and said shaking a very young baby carries a risk of catastrophic harm.
Peake admitted what he had done, took the baby to hospital with his wife for a check-up and was suspended from work after the incident.
A Perth police officer was sentenced to a community-based order after pleading guilty to shaking his five-week-old daughter three times.
Nickolas Wayne Peake, 30, was sentenced at Midland Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The incident happened at his home in Stratton last month, after he struggled to settle the baby late at night.
Peake took the baby to Perth Children’s Hospital with his wife and admitted what he had done.
The court heard that sleep deprivation and difficulties adjusting to parenthood were among the stressors at the time.
- Who
- Nickolas Wayne Peake, a 30-year-old Perth police officer.
- What
- He was sentenced to a community-based order after pleading guilty to common assault in circumstances of aggravation for shaking his five-week-old daughter.
- When
- The incident happened last month; Peake was sentenced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- At his home in Stratton, Perth. He was sentenced at Midland Magistrates Court.
- Why
- He struggled to settle the baby amid sleep deprivation and difficulties adjusting to parenthood, the court heard.
Prosecution
Defence
Severity of the offence
Prosecution
Prosecutor Ethan Heywood said shaking a baby posed a risk of catastrophic harm and that Peake had failed to control his emotions.
Defence
Lawyer Stuart Counsel said Peake was sleep-deprived and under stress during a traumatic start to parenthood, and had acted out of character.
Responsibility and remorse
Prosecution
The prosecution accepted that Peake pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, was remorseful and had taken full responsibility.
Defence
The defence said Peake immediately recognised what he had done, sought advice and took his daughter to hospital.
Peake shook his daughter three times at his home in Stratton after struggling to settle her.
Peake’s wife took the baby into the lounge and called a midwife for advice.
Peake and his wife took the baby to Perth Children’s Hospital, where Peake admitted what he had done.
Peake called his senior sergeant, was later arrested and made full admissions in a police interview.
Peake appeared at Midland Magistrates Court and was sentenced to a community-based order.
- Defendant
- Nickolas Wayne Peake, 30
- Victim
- Peake’s five-week-old daughter
- Offence
- Common assault in circumstances of aggravation
- Incident location
- Peake’s home in Stratton
- Court
- Midland Magistrates Court
- Sentence
- Community-based order
What people are saying
The risk of catastrophic harm to the baby’s health is notorious.
It’s hard to think of anyone who would be more vulnerable to an offence of this kind.
They were up for most of the night and only getting a couple of hours’ sleep.
lost his shit
Sources
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