A MAN who previously pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to a two-year-old after the child suffered severe burns while under his care will make an application to the court to withdraw his plea of guilt.
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Richard Robert Moppett, 30, of Molybdonite Road, Yetholme, now in custody, appeared via audio-visual link before magistrate Cate Follent in Bathurst Local Court on Monday.
Moppett was charged by police in May with neglecting a child in his care (in failing to seek medical aid) and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.
He initially pleaded guilty to both matters.
However, on Monday, Moppett's solicitor Shane Cunningham indicated his client will be making an application to withdraw his plea of guilt on sequence two (recklessly causing grievous bodily harm).
He further proposed representations would be made to police to consider accepting a guilty plea to sequence one (neglecting a child in his care) as a full and final sequence.
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The charges relate to an alleged incident at Condobolin on Sunday, May 12.
Moppett was arrested by police later that evening in Bathurst after officers from the Child Abuse Unit were called in to investigate the matter.
The facts outlined how Moppett was caring for two children at Condobolin on the Saturday night while their mother went to work.
At around 7pm, the children's grandfather called in to check on them and assisted Moppett in bathing the children.
The grandfather then left the house. Police allege while Moppett had care of the children he was drinking bourbon and cola.
At 9pm, the mother returned home and the children were asleep in bed.
The facts said the mother began drinking with Moppett before the pair became involved in an argument.
Moppett left the home at 11.40pm, but did not mention anything to the mother about any injuries.
Police allege the mother later noticed injuries to the baby's face. The child was treated for severe and prominent burns to the face and back.
Police facts said the burns covered two to three per cent of the child's body, with the majority of the child's face burned along with a section of his back.
The child was transferred to Westmead Children's Hospital for surgery.
Ms Follent adjourned the matter until July 16, when it will be back before the court for the hearing of the plea reversal application. Moppett will appear via audio-visual link.