A WOMAN police officer confronted a knife-wielding man after managing to get his terrified partner out of their flat.

Blackburn magistrates heard PC Charlotte Alldritt described it as the most frightening incident of her career.

But the court heard she face up to Darren Thomas Tyson and kept others safe until colleagues armed with tasers arrived on the scene.

At that point Tyson dropped the knife and was arrested.

Tyson, 28, of New Ground Court, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Alldritt. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said PC Alldritt attended at New Ground Court following a report of a domestic incident. She gained access to the flats complex and looked through a window to see a female on a sofa.

The defendant was standing in front of her. The officer could see he had a large carving knife in the waistband of his trousers.

PC Allditt encouraged the female to leave the flat, which she did, and then put herself outside the door.

"She could see the defendant pacing up and down with the knife in his hand making frenzied slashing motions," said Mrs White. "She said she had never been so scared in her career and feared she or someone else may get injured. Two officers with tasers arrived and after they spoke to the defendant he put the knife down and was arrested."

Mrs White said Tyson, who was of previous good character, accepted the officer would have been scared by his actions.