A drunken women smashed her daughter's head into a window and bit her because she was upset about spending Christmas alone, a court heard.

Jacqueline Marks, 42, who was prone to "psychotic seizures", admitted attacking Carrie-Anne Marks at her Goring maisonette on June 22.

Kirsten Sharp, prosecuting at Worthing Magistrates Court yesterday, said the mother and daughter had been estranged for some time before the assault.

She said: "The defendant was not a welcome visitor at her daughter's home but at 10pm she did attend the maisonette.

"She was drunk and the maisonette's door was insecure. Marks invited herself in and went up to the landing.

"She confronted her daughter, much to her daughter's surprise, and pushed her into the bathroom.

"She started smashing her daughter's head against a window, causing the inner pane to smash.

"Marks then bit her daughter on the wrist. She was arrested and freely admitted the damage and the common assault."

Miss Sharp said Marks suffers from depression and is on medication.

Adrian Butt, defending, said failed Christmas plans and a troubled upbringing led to the attack.

He said: "This incident stems from Christmas just gone. My client arranged for a family Christmas to take place but, at the last minute, all the plans changed and she was left on her own.

"On June 22, she was feeling down and decided to go to her daughter's to tell her what she had been through.

"My client became pregnant at 16 and the whole family said to have an abortion but she did not want to. She had the child.

"She suffers from intermittent psychosis, she has psychotic seizures.

"In relation to all these problems, she has a drinking problem."

Sentencing was postponed for psychological reports to be prepared and Marks, of Ashdown Road, Worthing, was released on unconditional bail until September 25. She also pleaded guilty to £150-worth of criminal damage.