POLICE were forced to use CS gas spray to disarm knife wielding Marie Engmann, a court was told.

Although she was threatening only to harm herself, Bury Magistrates were told how the 45-year-old mother-of-two was gesturing threateningly with the large kitchen knife.

Earlier officers had been summoned to an address in Radcliffe, by Engmann, who said her boyfriend was refusing to leave and that she had a knife.

Nicholas Beckett, prosecuting, described how Engmann was repeatedly asked to hand over the knife. However, she said she was going to cut herself. Eventually the spray had to be used by an officer in order to get the weapon off her.

Philip Thompson, defending, said that Engmann, who was drunk, had locked out her boyfriend following an earlier argument.

Engmann, of Milltown Street, Radcliffe, who admitted a breach of the peace, was bound over in the sum of £100 for a period of 12 months.