A DRUNKEN middle-aged mum threatened to stab police and then armed herself with five knives in late night trouble at her home, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how officers with shields had to be called in after Glenys Marie Pick-ering, 49, made threats and refused to speak with police or put the weapons down.

In the half hour rumpus that followed the defendant lashed out with the knives, struck one officer's shield and then threw another knife over his shield towards his colleagues behind him.

Pickering, whose behaviour was filmed by a camera on an officer’s uniform, struggled and kicked out when she was eventually detained.

The defendant, of Arthur Street, Brierfield, could be facing jail, after admitting affray. The Bench, who said prison was the starting point, told her she had posed a risk to police and the public and added she could be committed to crown court for sentence.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court on January 18, police were called at 10.40pm by the defendant's partner at that time David Bolton. He claimed she had assaulted him.

Officers went into the property and found Pickering, who was considerably the worse for drink. She was abusive, had five kitchen knives in her hand and told officers if anybody went up the stairs she would stab them. Mr Maude said officers tried to get her to put the knives down but she refused.

Reinforcements were called in and officers with full protective equipment arrived and started going up the stairs with their shields.

Pamela Baldwin, for Pickering, said she really did not remember the incident. She had a previous history of alcoholism The solicitor said Pickering, who had been out to a pub and had not been drinking at home, had a 17-year-old son who suffered from epilepsy.

He was due to return to live with her and she feared custody. .

Pickering , who has a record for violence, was bailed until February 10, for a pre-sentence report with conditions.