Matthew McCrea facing prison after bottle attack on Abbie Keers, 9
A man who threw a glass bottle which shattered a car windscreen badly injuring a nine-year-old girl has been told to expect a jail sentence.
Abbie Keers, of Stanley, was showered with glass and needed surgery after the attack on 14 February.
Matthew McCrea, of Tyne Vale, Stanley, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Durham Crown Court.
Judge Christopher Prince told him to "put his affairs in order" before returning for sentencing on 1 August.
Abbie was a front seat passenger with her mother Clare Webb, her grandmother Sarah Webb, and three-year-old sister Lexi, when the bottle was thrown from a subway on the A693 in Stanley.
McCrea, aged 24, admitted throwing the bottle in the late night attack, but said he had not been aiming at the car.
"You should put your affairs in order before you return," Judge Prince said.
Abbie needed surgery to remove glass from her face and suffered severe cuts.
She has continued to compete in junior gymnastics events despite her ordeal, the hearing was told.