http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/30/2478592.htm

McSweeney overturns assault accused's child access
Posted 57 minutes ago

Map: Albany 6330
Western Australia's Minister for Child Protection, Robyn McSweeney, has overturned a decision by her department to allow a man access to the child he is alleged to have seriously assaulted.

Jonathan Stephen Lowe has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, accused of breaking both of his son's legs, one of his arms and several ribs during assaults last year, when the child was less than three-months-old.

At an earlier court appearance, the police prosecutor said staff at Princess Margaret Hospital had described it as the worst case of child abuse they had seen.

Yesterday, the Albany District Court, in southern WA, began proceedings to allow Lowe supervised visits with the child, after it heard the Department for Child Protection had not opposed the application.

But Ms McSweeney has overruled the decision.

"I was absolutely horrified and said under no circumstances while criminal proceedings are still going on," she said.

Ms McSweeney says she will discuss the case with the department's director-general.

Meanwhile, the Albany District Court has heard prosecutors are examining whether a man accused of killing a Gnowangerup shearer with one punch acted in self-defence.

Edward Ivan William Cheeseman, 22, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter over the death of Shaun Ian Price last year.

Yesterday, the court heard police prosecutors needed more time to decide whether to serve an indictment because it was unclear whether Mr Price assaulted Cheeseman first.

Cheeseman is due to appear in court again in March.