A WOMAN who pulled a knife on her cousin and then threatened to kill her aunt while her children were in the car has been jailed for 15 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how 25-year-old Amy Louise Cowburn, who was living at the home of her grandmother Maurine Cowburn at the time, committed both offences in a matter of minutes on August 9.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Flanagan said Cowburn’s cousin Katy Martin had finished work at around 9.30pm and decided to visit Maurine Cowburn at her home in Lee Road, Nelson.

Mr Flanagan said that Ms Martin asked if Cowburn was there and if her grandmother was OK. At that point Cowburn came out of the house and shouted: “What are you going to do?”

That led to a heated argument and Cowburn, formerly of Lee Road, Nelson, said to Ms Martin: “I am going to stab you.”

She then pulled out a knife from the waistband of her trousers and showed it to the victim.

As the argument continued Cowburn picked up a slate and began waving it towards Ms Martin. Having been told Cowburn had a brick, her aunt Andrea Shepherd drove over to her mother’s house to ensure she was okay.

Cowburn told her grandmother: “If Andrea comes here I am going to stab her.”

Mr Flanagan said as Ms Shepherd approached the junction of Thursby Road and Rakes House Road, Nelson, she was intercepted by Cowburn, who jumped in front of her car.

Mr Flanagan said: “She was carrying a knife, shouting and making threats. Ms Shepherd had her children in the car. The defendant moved towards the car still screaming at Ms Shepherd with the knife raised. She was heard to shout ‘I am going to stab you’.”

Cowburn, who has 26 convictions for 54 offences, pleaded guilty to affray and threatening another with an offensive weapon.

Defending, Philp Holden said his client was a woman who had problems with her mental health and problems with her family.

A restraining order was also put in place banning Cowburn contacting her victims directly or indirectly for two years.