A WOMAN who was sitting on the street drinking with a knife in her possession has avoided jail.

Helen Redfern, of Northop Road in Flint, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court for sentence on Thursday.

The 50-year-old had previously admitted offences of possessing a knife in a public place and being drunk and disorderly.

Prosecutor Siriol Jones told the court the first offence, being drunk and disorderly, took place on May 19 this year at East Green in Sealand.

Police were called after concerns were raised about a woman at the location, who turned out to be Redfern.

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She was sitting on a kerb drinking beer and, when approached to check if she was ok, threw her phone towards officers.

Ms Jones said the defendant was "highly intoxicated" and refused assistance - walking into the middle of the carriageway and swaying.

She was arrested after sticking her finger up at a passing motorist, within sight of children.

After being taken to custody, the told officers she'd fight them and then tried to flood her cell with water.

The second incident happened at Oakenholt on May 26.

Officers were called to Chester Road after reports of a female with a knife.

They arrived to find an intoxicated Redfern drinking a can of beer.

She didn't reply when spoken to, and when police looked into a bag next to her, they spotted a steak knife.

Redfern didn't listen when an officer drew their taser, but was restrained and taken away from the blade.

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A probation officer told the court that regarding the first incident, the defendant didn't know "why she acted in this manner," and was ashamed of her behaviour - which she blamed on her alcohol consumption.

The officer continued regarding the next incident: "She thinks this knife was from her home, but she doesn't know why she took it out with her."

"Her mother died five years ago, and this has had a major impact on her mental health and increase in alcohol consumption.

"She has self-medicated for her bereavement with alcohol."

The officer recommended a community order for the defendant, with probation support.

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Defending solicitor Gary Harvey endorsed the probation recommendation, adding that the probation interventions could also be contained within a suspended sentence.

Deputy District Judge Paul Conlon told the defendant her behaviour would have caused "understandable anxiety" to members of the public.

He handed down an overall sentence of 20 weeks imprisonment, but suspended it for 12 months.

Redfern must undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity and pay a £154 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.

An order for the forfeiture and destruction of the blade was also made.