A WOMAN brandished a kitchen knife at enforcement officers when they visited a property to collect outstanding court fines.

Annie Meta, of Chiltern Road in St Helens, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday in connection with the incident in October 2018.

Enforcement officers employed by the High Court attended a property in Chippindall Close in Great Sankey to speak to a man regarding outstanding court fines.

Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said: "Annie Meta was at the house, which belonged to a friend, and was told why they were there.

"The man with the outstanding debts was not present so his partner called him while the officers waited in the hallway.

"Meta then obstructed their entry before obtaining a knife from the kitchen."

Thirty-year-year-old Meta shouted and screamed at the officers, standing around four feet away from them with the knife.

Officers then told her the police would be called after she threw the knife to the ground.

This incident caused the officers to fear for their own safety, the court heard.

Meta told police she had been 'grabbed' by one of the officers and fetched the knife to protect herself.

She was staying with her friend in Great Sankey who was experiencing a 'difficult pregnancy'.

Afterwards her friend and her husband admitted they had not been completely honest about the situation and the man had told his partner on the phone not to let the men inside the property.

The French national explained that she didn't understand powers of entry as English is not her first language.

Meta, who has no previous convictions, accepted she pushed one of the officers back.

Nicola Daley, defending, said: "Meta has shown remorse for her actions and is the sole carer for her daughter.

"She is studying to become a nurse at St Helens College."

Judge Stuart Driver QC, said: "The weapon you used caused great fear and had a significant impact on the victims.

"You have not been in any other trouble since and have made good progress with your education."

Meta was handed a 12-month community order and will have to complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity.