A WOMAN grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened to stab and kill her partner as an alcohol-fuelled argument got out of hand.

Sharon Payne had to be restrained by concerned neighbours who alerted the police after the couple’s rowing grew more and more heated at a family party.

Southampton Crown Court heard that, after ordering the victim to leave, Payne, 43, shouted expletives at him before making the threats to hurt him.

Prosecutor Edward Phillips told the court the couple, who have been together for around nine years, had a “tempestuous” relationship, and began arguing at a home on Sewall Drive, Eastleigh, in July.

Two neighbours heard the rowing and, after leaving their homes, and returning a while later, saw that it had become even more heated than before, the court was told.

Mr Phillips said: “A neighbour then heard the threats to stab him and actually kill him.Payne had with her a large kitchen knife and was going at him and threatening him. The neighbour grabbed and restrained her on the ground.”

The police arrested Payne, who works as a cleaner on trains at Eastleigh Railway Station, and she admitted making the threats.

She also said she had been drinking and was under the influence of cocaine, the court was told.

Tim Dracass, mitigating, said Payne and the victim had continued to be in a relationship and that since the incident she had abstained from alcohol.

He added: “It was clearly an extremely unpleasant and unattractive incident.”

Payne, of Campbell Road, Eastleigh, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.

She was made the subject of a 12 months community order, which includes a requirement to complete a six-month alcohol treatment programme and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.