Knife-wielding mum jailed for stabbing men who came 'armed for fight' in 'violent scene' in South Shields street

Samantha Roberts lashed out with a kitchen knife during the violence that left Jordan Pearce with five wounds which required eight hours of surgery, and Mark Alder with five wounds that needed stitches at hospital.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the brawl on Beach Road in South Shields broke out last November when Pearce and Alder turned up at a house where Roberts was staying, armed with baseball bats and started banging on the door.

Prosecutor Richard Herrmann said an armed fight, involving others who joined in or watched, very quickly erupted and was caught on CCTV, which was played in court.

Mr Herrmann told the court: "The groups came together and there was a very violent scene. During the course of that, serious injury was undoubtedly caused to at least Pearce and Alder. Both suffered stab-type wounds."

Roberts, Pearce and Alder all admitted affray and having an offensive weapon.The court heard no charges were brought in relation to the stabbings as neither man made a complaint to the police. The police became involved because they were alerted by hospital staff about the men's injuries.Roberts, 30, of Sea Road, South Shields, has been jailed for 13 months.

Pearce, 26, of Girtin Road, South Shields, who also admitted an unrelated knife possession charge, has been jailed for 16 months.

Alder, 29, of Beach Road, South Shields, has been jailed for 15 months. Vic Laffey, defending Roberts, said: "This is completely out of character for her and something she has never been involved in in any shape or form. She is a lady who has a young child of her own."

Ian Cook, defending Pearce, said: "He became involved in a situation he did not need to become involved in, in an argument that wasn't his argument." Gavin Doig, defending Alder, said: "He was wounded five times, not as seriously as Mr Pearce but it was still significant."