A CARER who assaulted her disabled partner has been warned she could be facing a jail term.

Mandy Holland had been due to stand trial at Swindon Crown Court after denying a charge of actual bodily harm.

But when the 51-year-old was brought back before the court having spent time in a psychiatric hospital she changed her plea to admit the matter.

Holland smashed a cup or beaker into the face of her long term 'on off' partner Mark Lauder, who also had mental health problems, in the attack almost two years ago.

As a result of the incident on Saturday, August 8, 2015, the victim suffered injuries which had to be glued by medics.

Holland, who gave the court an address on Turner Street, pleaded guilty to the single count of actual bodily harm.

Alistair Haggerty, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned to allow the probation service time to compile a pre-sentence report.

He said that she had been remanded in custody since November but had been transferred from prison to a hospital to receive treatment.

Because she was now fit to enter her plea he asked for her to be granted bail so she could remain at the unit in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, rather than going back to prison.

Judge Tim Mousley QC released her to Friday, May 26, on condition she abides by the conditions of the Orchid Ward at the Cygnet Hospital and does not contact Mr Lauder

But he warned her that she may still receive as jail term when she returns to face sentence next month.

He said: "You should not regard the fact that I am granting you bail today as any indication that there will not be a custodial sentence. All options will be open to the judge who sentences you."

Holland and Mr Lauder had been in an on-off relationship for about ten years and she was also his carer.

He has a brain injury after suffering a number of strokes which had left him with mobility and communication issues.

She initially claimed that a mystery person had walked into the house and assaulted Mr Lauder, denying she had been responsible.

In 2006 the couple were evicted from a council property in Penhill amid claims it had been turned into a crack den.