A MOTHER-OF-TWO who threatened a police officer with a knife, had to be restrained with CS gas, Kennet magistrates were told on Monday.

Elizabeth Barkham, 38, of Ferozeshah Road, Devizes, was seen using a kitchen knife to slash the tyres of a car belonging to a former friend, Fiona Downs, in Stokes Close, Devizes.

Nick Dunne, prosecuting, said that when PC Jon Fairbairn and WPC Nikki Burt arrived they saw Barkham crouched between parked cars holding the knife.

Mr Dunne said: "She lunged towards PC Fairbairn with the knife. He tried to reason with her and when it was clear she was not going to co-operate she was sprayed with CS gas. After being handcuffed she kicked out and swore at the officer."

Tim Hammick, defending, said Barkham disputed lunging with the knife at the police officer, but said she walked towards him, waving her arms while she held the knife.

Barkham had been due to stand trial on a charge of affray relating to the incident on June 6.

She changed her plea to guilty after the prosecution withdrew the charge and proceeded with an alternative, that of using threatening behaviour towards PC Fairbairn, and causing him to believe unlawful violence would be used towards him.

She also admitted criminal damage to the car tyres and having the knife in a public place.

Mr Hammick said the incident had been prompted after Barkham had been reported to the Department of Social Security about her benefit claim. A friend had also been reported and Barkham believed the same person was responsible.

Mr Hammick said Barkham had been drinking before she went to slash the tyres. "She regrets very deeply what happened and coming to court has been a salutary experience for her," he said.

The case was adjourned to August 19 for pre-sentence reports.