AN alcoholic who left a six-year-old girl with a two-inch bald patch after dragging her by the hair is facing jail.

The Darlington woman also slapped and punched the child's arm, South Durham Magistrates Court was told yesterday. The 35-year-old, of Skeeby Road, admitted assault and resisting a police constable on September 14.

She also pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a three-year-old child, being drunk and disorderly and resisting a police constable on September 7.

Jacqueline Gibson, prosecuting, said the six-year-old was clearly distressed by the assault and suffered the bald patch, red patches on her head and a scrape on her back.

The woman told police she had an alcohol problem and drank six litres of Lambrini a day.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports which should consider custody. Unconditional bail was extended until November 9.

The Northern Echo is not naming the woman to protect the identity of the children.