A DRUNKEN mum pulled a knife on a social worker and threatened to kill her, after she said she would take her child away.

Michelle Stirling, 45, had previously admitted two charges of assaulting her partner Phillip Strike, and of affray.

Stirling, of East End in Wigton, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday for sentencing.

The court heard how social worker Linzi Bennett attended Stirling’s address on March 5, to speak about the defendant’s child. Claire Brocklebank, prosecuting, said: “The defendant said ‘don’t let her in’, but another member of the family did let her in.”

Upon gaining access to the property, the social worker realised Stirling had been drinking.

Mrs Brocklebank said: “She told Miss Stirling ‘you shouldn’t be around your son if you have been drinking’. Mrs Stirling stood up and leaned towards Miss Bennett and tried to grab her.”

Stirling then ran into the kitchen and picked up a sharp kitchen knife, smaller than a pen in size. It was then Stirling was held back by Mr Strike.

“She was shouting ‘I am going to kill her’,” continued Mrs Brocklebank. “[Mr Strike] was holding her back, saying ‘you are just making it worse’. She then punched her partner Phillip Strike three times to the face.”

Karen Tunnacliffe, defending, said: “Miss Stirling is mortified by her behaviour on the day in question and has genuine remorse, as shown by her immediate admissions. She has made a phone call to Miss Bennett and apologised. That has been accepted.”

Mrs Tunnacliffe said her client has a history of mental health and alcohol problems.

Stirling was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, a five-month curfew and ordered to take part in 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.