A WOMAN who brandished a knife at two police officers in a supermarket car park has been spared prison.

Donna Pickles, 40, of Raven Court, Earl Street, was described as being "out of control" when she brandished the knife with a four and half inch blade outside Asda in Flint.

Pickles was appearing at Mold Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to carrying a knife in a public place and using threatening words or behaviour.

Prosecutor Nicola Williams said the officers said they had been "shocked and alarmed" as the incident, which occurred on August 5 at 11.45am, was in a public area with shoppers nearby.

Her brother had died a few days earlier and Pickles had confronted a man she blamed for his death before the two officers arrived at the Asda car park in Flint.

Andrew Green, defending, said there was absolutely no excuse for Pickles to be in possession of the knife in public but asked the court to consider that she had lost her brother very recently.

He added that Pickles was not in good health and her life has been blighted by addiction, adding that she now has stable accommodation was engaging with the drug and alcohol team in Shotton.

Commenting that Pickles had 37 convictions for 60 offences, but none for violence, judge Niclas Parry sentenced her to 14 months suspended for 18 months.

The judge said: "You have pleaded guilty to offences arising out of an incident during which you were out of control of your senses. You were not only carrying a knife with a significant blade but you had taken that knife out from your home in case you came upon a confrontation. You did, and you actually produced the knife on two separate occasions, brandishing it and making threats with it. The second time involved making threats to two police officers who were shocked and alarmed. All of this was occurring in a public area that was busy with pedestrians and traffic.

He reminded that court that injuries and fatalities associated with the use knives in public were a cause of public concern.

The judge added: "You were acting wildly with the weapon in circumstances where there was a risk of serious disorder - challenging a male that you held responsible for the very recent, tragic death of your brother. Emotions could not have been higher."

Pickles must also carry out 30 days of rehabilitation.