A woman came out of a discount store carrying a hammer above her head.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard police had already been called and spoke to a young girl who said there was a drunken woman behaving aggressively.

Catherine Smith, 56, of Holmes Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and using threatening behaviour towards a police officer.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

She was fined £250 with a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs, and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer.

Usmah Kausar, prosecuting, said the officer had spoken to a young girl outside Aldi in Todmorden Road, Burnley, who reported the defendant’s behaviour on June 1.

“Smith came out of the shop with a hammer in her hand which she was holding above her head,” said Miss Kausar.

“The officer told her to put it down but she continued to wield the hammer as she approached the officer. She feared for her own safety and that of members of the public.”

Trevor Grice, mitigating, said there was a suggestion his client had been the subject of domestic violence.

“She was on the street with the hammer because of incidents that happened in her house,” said Mr Grice.

“She had been on medication and taking alcohol and has no recollection of this incident.”