Mother admits hitting child

Sahara Jayde Baker-Koro. Photo / Supplied

Sahara Jayde Baker-Koro, 5, was slapped and kicked in the days before her mother's partner killed her.

The mother of Sahara Jayde Baker-Koro has admitted assaulting her daughter days before her partner killed the 5-year-old.

Chantally Raelene Baker, 28, appeared in the Wanganui District Court yesterday where she admitted a charge of assaulting a child, her daughter Sahara.

The charge relates to a period from February 1, 2008, to December 20 last year.

Former Wanganui man Kerry Charles Ratana appeared in the Napier District Court in July and admitted the manslaughter of Sahara in Napier on December 21 last year.

Baker told Judge Lindsay Moore yesterday that she wanted to represent herself.

"I don't want a lawyer. I want to do this myself and get it over with today. I am pleading guilty."

The police summary said Baker slapped Sahara on her hands, legs, back, head and her bottom, and also kicked her.

Baker had argued with her daughter every day and called her names, the court was told.

Baker said she had been hard on Sahara because she needed her to "harden up a bit".

"Now I wish I could turn time back and fix everything ... it's too late now," she said.

Judge Moore sentenced Baker to six months' supervision, and ordered special conditions, counselling and educationalprogrammes.

- APN