A MOTHER of two, locked in a custody battle over the children, appeared in court yesterday charged with beating her ten-year-old daughter.

Gabrielle Emptage, 26, was denied bail and remanded to the Women's Prison as police probe her criminal background.

It was alleged that last Friday and Sunday in San Fernando, Emptage, being a person over 18 years and having care of a child, wilfully assaulted the child in a manner causing unnecessary suffering and injury.

The charges were laid by Constable Rajkumar.

Police were contacted by school officials after bruises were noticed on the Standard Two pupil's face, neck and arms.

It was alleged the child was hit and choked after she disobeyed orders to stay away from a female relative.

When she appeared before Magistrate Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds, Emptage was asked whether she was guilty or not to the summary offence.

Emptage said she was guilty with a cause.

Ramsumair-Hinds asked for legal aid attorney Gizelle Landeau to step in.

The lawyer consulted with Emptage and a not guilty plea was eventually entered.

Landeau said Emptage was a self-employed electrician who had an on-going family matter over the custody of her children, aged ten and eight years.

Police prosecutor Gordon Maharaj confirmed the court case and also said Emptage lived on the same compound with the alleged victim and the children's grandmother.

He objected to bail being granted to Emptage and asked for a chance to have her criminal background traced.

Emptage told the court she was charged last year with shoplifting and was ordered to serve community service.

Ramsumair-Hinds said she would give the police the opportunity to check Emptage's background and adjourned the case to Monday.

The accused was remanded to the Women's Prison in Arouca and told of her right to apply to a judge for bail.