A SCHOOL employee has admitted assaulting a child and an older woman.

Emma Squires, 41, of Manor Road, Benfleet, was due to stand trial charged with assaulting a minor who cannot be named for legal reasons.

She was also charged with a second count of assault and initially denied both counts.

Squires, who is employed as a member of support staff in reception classes at Hadleigh Infant and Nursery School, changed her plea only days before the trial which was due to start on Friday at Basildon Magistrates' Court.

At a hearing on Friday, where her plea was formally accepted by the magistrates, the court heard after drinking three glasses of wine, she assaulted the child after a confrontation escalated and pulled the older woman by the hair before shoving her, leaving serious injuries.

The school, which is based in Bilton Road, Hadleigh, previously confirmed they were aware of the charges and have said Squires is currently not working at the school while the matter is ongoing.

Squires admitted the two counts of assault and her basis of plea included that she intended to cause injury.

She will be sentenced at the same court on July 26.

She was released on conditional bail and must not contact either of the victims or a specific address in Benfleet.