A KNIFE-wielding woman forced her way into her terrified ex-girlfriend’s home and threatened to slash her throat.
Stephanie Pringle had been out drinking before the attack at the woman’s home in Chaucer Avenue, Biddick Hall, South Shields, in the early hours of Sunday.
The 21-year-old left a kitchen knife with an eight-inch blade outside the house and pulled another knife with a six-inch blade out of her ex’s cutlery draw and issued the chilling threat.
The frightened woman, whose daughter was in the house at the time, managed to lock Pringle outside and call police.
Panicking, Pringle burst into a nearby house where a party was taking place and told the group inside that she was taking them hostage and had already killed someone, while brandishing one of the knives. She fled before police arrived but was arrested in Priestley Court with two knives on her.
Pringle, of Horsley Vale, South Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a knife, common assault, affray and threatening violence to secure entry at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Stan Sudworth, prosecuting, said: “It was 5.15am when the first victim, who had been in a relationship with the defendant last year, heard banging on her door.
“She recognised the voice and went to the door. When she opened it, Pringle pushed past her and into the house.
“She was angry and went to the cutlery drawer and pulled out a knife with a six-inch blade.
“When the woman said she needed to see to her daughter, Pringle said ‘get the bairn sorted or I’ll slash your throat’.”
Mr Sudworth told the court that Pringle then went outside and the woman managed to lock the door behind her.
He added: “Then she went into another house where a party was going on and told the occupants to sit down because they were all being held hostage.
“She said ‘I’ve already killed someone and the police are coming’.
“Five minutes later, she left. “
David Hatfield, defending, said: “When the relationship ended it had a powerful, emotional impact on her.
“She had been out drinking and went back to her home and took a knife from a drawer before going to her ex’s house. The whole episode lasted about 10 minutes.”
Magistrates told Pringle she would be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.
She was granted bail on the conditions that she lives at the address given to court and does not contact prosecution witnesses.
Twitter: @shieldsgazcrime