Woman threatened partner with blade

Donna Morton told the man he would die that night and threw a beer can at him

She then went on to get into the car of a passing stranger, stopped at lights and stole a purse from inside the vehicle.

Morton, 38, of Lawsons Road, Thornton, was given a suspended sentence order when she appeared before a judge at Preston Crown court.

She pleaded guilty to theft, possessing a bladed article and common assault over the events of August 21 this year.

The incident took place in the Tennyson Avenue area of Thornton.

Paul Cummings, prosecuting, said following an argument, the defendant’s partner decided to sleep in a trailer tent in his mother’s garden.

Some time after 2am Morton appeared at the door of the tent. She had a knife or a dagger.

She told him: “You watch what’s going to happen. Look at you all cosy and warm while I’m in the flat freezing. You are going to die tonight”.

Morton was waving the dagger in his direction and jabbing it in a threatening manner.

Her behaviour was erratic, the court was told.

She seemed to be looking for alcohol and appeared under the influence of something. Morton threw a can of beer at him.

Her partner got out and ran away, hiding between parked vehicles.

Mr Cummings said Morton then got into the passenger seat of a passing vehicle.

The motorist had stopped at a temporary traffic light.

It was noticed the defendant had self harmed as she had cuts to her arms.

The driver travelled a very short distance before Morton got out, taking a purse with her.

After this she returned to the address and started banging on the door of the house and banging on the car as well.

Following her arrest it was noted Morton’s behaviour was erratic.

She tried to strangle herself with her own clothing.

Rachel Woods, defending, said that for some years Morton had suffered a serious mental health problem.

She had not been taking her medication at the time.

“She has little recollection of the events” the barrister told the court.

Morton was given eight months prison, suspended for two years, with two years supervision and 12 months on a drug rehabilitation course.