Knife-wielding South Yorkshire woman drove car at her neighbour

Sarah Burden told the woman she would ram her "if you f****** start," and drove her VW “at low speed” within a few metres of her, on Markfield Drive, Flanderwell, Rotherham, on May 12.

Prosecutor Brian Outhwaite described how other neighbours had seen her shouting threats and abuse in the street while children were playing, earlier that day.

When she was interviewed by police, Burden claimed she was only carrying a fork, and denied driving the car at the woman.

The court heard she has previous convictions for offences including drug supply and criminal damage, and received a community order in January.

Michael Cane-Soothill, mitigating, said the knife wasn't waved around and there was no attempt to threaten anyone with it.

"Between 2008 and 2017 she managed to lead a law abiding life," he said. "But there were shoplifting matters over the last three years.

"There was a relapse into taking illicit drugs again. She was placed on 78 mls of methadone last year and has reduced that by half.

"She is the main carer for her ill brother. She realised that she had to do something for her drug problem.

"She is hoping to do a refresher course in hairdressing."

He said Burden has already served 200 days on a qualifying curfew and said the case could be dealt with by a suspended sentence.

Burden, 46, of Markfield Drive, Flanderwell, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, threatening behaviour and driving without due care and attention, on November 10, after initially denying the charges.

On Thursday, Judge Sarah Wright told her: "There are a number of issues in your life. You have taken steps to address those issues and you have kept out of trouble since then.

I have come to the conclusion that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in your case.”

A 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days was imposed and her licence was endorsed with seven penalty points.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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