Strip club dad convicted of assault

WELLINGTON - A man who left his baby son unattended in a car while he visited a Wellington strip club has admitted assaulting the child's mother.

Wayne Ricardo Schwamm, 42, of Palmerston North, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ashley Chai this year, after previously wanting to argue the charge.

He changed his mind when he appeared for sentence on June 1 - worried that a conviction would prevent him winning custody of his 20-month-old son. He asked Judge Grant Fraser to vacate the guilty plea.

But in Palmerston North District Court yesterday, Schwamm had another change of heart and opted to stick with the guilty plea.

He was remanded on bail until September 30 to allow him time to complete an anger management course.

The police summary of facts said Schwamm hit Ms Chai in anger, after she allowed the baby to stand up in his high-chair while being fed.

He pleaded guilty in Wellington District Court in April to leaving his son in the back seat of his car while he went to the Splash Club in Courtenay Place to pick up a stripper friend.

He was arrested after a passer-by saw the baby and raised the alarm.

He was fined $200.

- NZPA