Australian Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Infant

A West Australian police officer has been stood down and faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault of his five-week-old daughter. Nickolas Wayne Peake, 30, entered the guilty plea in Perth's Midland Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The alleged incident occurred last Saturday in Stratton, a suburb in Perth's east. The five-week-old infant was taken to Perth Children's Hospital as a precaution following the alleged assault. No specific details of the incident were revealed in court.

Child abuse squad detectives charged Peake on Sunday. Protective conditions have been put in place for his wife and child since the incident, according to WA Today. Peake is currently living with his parents in South Yunderup and is undergoing counseling, and has been barred from contacting his family.

Peake was granted bail and is scheduled to reappear in court on October 13 for sentencing. He could face up to three years behind bars or a fine of $36,000.

Peake remains stood down from operational duties within WA Police, and an internal review will be conducted. "The officer remains stood down from operational duties and the managerial process will continue," a police spokesperson stated.