Police broke into a car late at night to rescue a distressed baby whose father was found in a nearby casino, Hastings District Court was told yesterday.

Iulio Ausage, a 25-year-old packer from Flaxmere, Hastings, who was not in court, had admitted leaving a child without reasonable supervision and care.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Carey Griffiths said police found a one-year-old child locked in a car parked in King St, Hastings, about 11.35 pm on March 27.

Police also found a box of matches and some prescription medicines inside the vehicle.

Ausage was found in a nearby casino-bar playing pokie machines. He told police he was "killing time" until his partner finished work.

Judge Tony Adeane fined Ausage $750.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY