Perth police officer receives community order after shaking newborn

Nickolas Wayne Peake, a 30-year-old Perth police officer, was convicted of common assault with aggravating circumstances after shaking his five-week-old daughter three times in an attempt to quiet her. The incident occurred at his home in Stratton after a difficult birth and ongoing infant colic left the new parents exhausted. Peake confessed to the act, called a midwife, and took his family to Perth Children’s Hospital, where the baby was examined and found unharmed.

He later reported the incident to his senior sergeant, was arrested, and pleaded guilty in Midland Magistrates Court. Magistrate Paul Lyons called the behavior a serious breach of trust and sentenced Peake to a 10-month community-based order, emphasizing the need for parental stress-management education.