Sharon Creed, aged 25, smacked five-year-old Lauren and said she wished that she had not had the child, Norwich Crown Court was told.

Lauren died in October last year shortly after being found lifeless at her home at RAF Coltishall, in Norfolk.

Ms Creed has admitted cruelty towards Lauren. Her boyfriend, Graham Sate, 25, who lived with her and Lauren denies murder and cruelty.

Mr David Stokes, QC, prosecuting, read out a statement in which a child minder, Elizabeth Martin, described how Ms Creed treated her daughter.

She said Lauren was a "lovely child" who "loved a cuddle".

But she could be "very naughty", and Ms Creed appeared to find it difficult to deal with her, she said.

"If Lauren was naughty with Sharon, she would smack her on the arms and legs, aiming for her bottom," Ms Martin said.

"She would often tell Lauren she wished she had not had her.

"On one occasion when she (Sharon) had been out late she said if she (Lauren) weren't around she (Sharon) could have stayed for a few more drinks.

"Sharon really wanted a single life."

Ms Creed had considered sending Lauren to boarding school and had got information on the subject, she said.

Lauren 'grabbed around neck'

On Thursday, one of Ms Creed's neighbours, Sofiah Baker, told how she once saw Creed grab Lauren by a scarf the little girl had around her neck, then use the scarf to drag the child out of the kitchen.

Lauren died on 21 October last year after paramedics were called to her home. A pathologist found that her liver had been split by a forceful blow.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Sate murdered Lauren shortly after Ms Creed left the house to go to work in the stores at RAF Coltishall.

Mr Sate says Lauren accidentally fell down stairs.