A WOMAN armed with a knife and hammer was arrested apparently on her way to confront her female ex-partner and her new boyfriend.

The former partner left Kimley Round to move in with the man, sparking a flow of threatening texts to the couple.

It culminated in Round being prosecuted for harassment at Durham Crown Court, last June, when she received a suspended sentence, with a restraining order imposed preventing her contacting or attempting to contact the couple.

But Round was back before the court today (Thursday January 24) having breached the order, on October 27 last year.

Paul Lee, prosecuting, said despite the order imposed at the previous hearing, Round continued to make contact with the couple, with most of the threats directed at the boyfriend of her ex-partner.

The court heard the concerned couple called police after receiving a series of threatening text messages.

“Officers attended the couple’s address and decided to search the area, before finding Round in a nearby street.

“She was carrying a hammer which she threw over a nearby wall.

“On arrest she was searched and a Stanley knife was found in her pocket which she claimed she was carrying only to harm herself.”

Thirty-four-year-old Round, of Bede Terrace, Chester-le-Street, admitted possession of a bladed article and breaching the suspended sentence.

Annelise Haugstad, mitigating, said Round turned to drink after family tragedies and was carrying the knife “only for the purpose of self-harm”.

She said Round is now living back with her parents, and is no longer drinking.

Recorder Jonathan Aitken imposed a year-long supervision order, to include six months’ on an alcohol treatment programme.

He told her: “You’re going to have to put this behind you, grow up and get a grip.

“If you don’t, you’ll be going to prison.”

Recorder Aitken ordered that the recovered ‘weapons’ should be destroyed and said Round must also pay a £60 victim surcharge.