A baby buried in a Wellington backyard was its mother's fourth pregnancy, it has been revealed in court.
The 21-year-old, whose name has been permanently suppressed, was sentenced in the Wellington District Court on Wednesday on a charge of disposing of a child's body to conceal its birth.
The woman's lawyer sought a discharge without conviction, saying her client was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and is being treated for it.
However, Judge Philip Moran turned down the request, saying the woman's attempt to conceal the pregnancy meant she had failed to seek care or arrange a safe environment for the birth.
The judge sentenced her to 12 months' supervision, stipulating that she continue to receive mental health treatment.