A Whanganui mother who allegedly left her 1-year-old child locked in a car in a public place overnight appeared in court yesterday to plead guilty to selling cannabis and driving while suspended.
The woman has not yet entered a plea to leaving the child in the car, and has denied further charges of leaving a child under 14 without reasonable supervision, and supplying meth.
Judge David Cameron granted the 30-year-old interim name suppression until her next appearance on February 9.
Defence lawyer Peter Brosnahan said he had only just been assigned to the case, and needed to look into what effect publicity would have on the woman and her 7-year-old child, who attends a Whanganui school.
Mr Brosnahan said the woman was in protective custody in Arohata Prison after other inmates found out about her charges.