MAXI-TAXI driver Isaac Samaroo, who is charged with beating his two-year-old daughter, pleaded guilty to the offence yesterday.

He also told the court he was fearful to be taken back into police custody.

Samaroo, 31, of Longdenville, claimed that he had not been fed for two days while in police custody.

His guilty plea was not accepted by Chaguanas Senior Magistrate Gillian Scotland who read the charge that last Friday at Caroni Road, Longdenville, Samaroo wilfully assaulted a child under his custody occasioning suffering and injury.

The charge was laid under Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Children's Act 46:01 by Constable Ronny-Lee Gopaul of the Cunupia Police Station.

"I want to plead guilty," Samaroo said as soon as the charge was read.

But police prosecutor Sgt Deochand Gosine said instructions were yet to be received as to whether the matter would be proceeding summarily before the Magistrates' Court or indictably.

Scotland explained the legal issues to Samaroo, who had no lawyer.

Samaroo was refused bail, and ordered to reappear in court today.

However, he said, "I not feeling safe to go back in jail ... Two days I ent get nothing to eat ... I shaking," Samaroo said.

Scotland told him he would be "okay" in jail, and would also get a meal.

She asked about the status of the two-year-old, and was told that she was severely traumatised, still undergoing a series of medical examinations, and was in and out of hospital.

The magistrate was informed that Samaroo was the girl's father and the mother was seated in court.

She then enquired from Samaroo his living arrangement, and he said he resided with someone else who had children.

Samaroo was remanded in prison custody to return to court today.

It is alleged that the two-year-old girl sustained swelling to the left side of her face and upper and lower lips and also received injury to her left eyelid, the left side of her cheek and neck and bleeding in the left eye, after she was repeatedly hit.

The attack allegedly stemmed from her refusing to eat a sandwich last Friday.