Lorraine Douglas called the police and locked herself in the bathroom after Paige Ruddy armed herself with a knife during a drunken tantrum.

When police arrived they were confronted by a raging Ruddy who was wielding a knife which was still in its sheath.

Although she didn’t use the weapon she lunged at one of the cops before being taken away in handcuffs.

The 24-year-old’s shameful antics were recounted by fiscal depute Isobel Martin last week when Ruddy appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court with her forgiving partner also in attendance.

Ms Martin told the court it was 5pm on May 14 this year when Ruddy and Douglas, 26, arrived at the Beechwood Avenue home they share and began knocking back booze.

All was well at first, but when the drink ran dry Ruddy began to turn nasty.

Ms Martin said: “The accused became aggressive and was asked to leave but refused and she was shouting and swearing at the witness. The police were called because Lorraine Douglas was scared about what was happening.

“While she was on the phone the accused could be heard shouting, ‘Where’s my blade’.” Ms Martin told the court Ruddy had a silver lock back knife in her possession which was still in its cover. Douglas, fearing for her safety, ran to the toilet and hid there until the police arrived.

Two officers attended the property where they found Ruddy in the living room. As the officers entered Ruddy lunged towards one of them and attempted to punch him in the chest.

They saw that she was in possession of a knife in her right hand. She released the weapon from her grasp and was placed under arrest. Ms Douglas was found visibly upset hiding in the bathroom cupboard. Ruddy was interviewed, made various admissions and when she was cautioned and charged she said: “I did not want to make her feel that way.” Ruddy later admitted behaving in a threatening manner and placing her partner in a state of fear and alarm by shouting and swearing and holding a sheathed knife at their home address. She also pled guilty to assaulting a police officer by attempting to punch him.

A second matter relating a a separate complaint saw Ruddy plead guilty to stealing a pair of sunglasses from Poundland, on Dumbarton High Street on May 10 this year as well as assaulting a member of staff by spitting on him.

Defence agent Mr Faulds said his client had a very negative upbringing which had a heavy burden on her, but he accepted it was no excuse for her behaviour.

He said: “Ms Ruddy is well aware your Lordship will have in your mind a custodial sentence.” However, although he acknowledged his client had a record of offending, which included a number of serious matters, he went on to say that the couple were reconciled and argued that there was scope to try to rehabilitate Ruddy.

He said she was remorseful and had a genuine desire to address her addiction issues, adding: “She was most concerned about having hurt the person closest to her.” Sheriff Simon Fraser warned Ruddy she faced a maximum sentence of three years however, he was persuaded to give her an opportunity to prove she could change her ways.

He placed her under supervision for two years and told her she must attend alcohol counselling and perform 180 hours unpaid work within six months.

He set a community payback order review for October 16 and deferred sentence on the Poundland matter until the same date for Ruddy to be of good behaviour.