TWIN sisters had to be separated by a neighbour after coming to blows at a drunken house party, a court heard.

Sarah Jayne Bradley and sister Gemma Louise Bradley played host to a number of friends at the home they shared in The Grove, Coxhoe, near Durham, on Sunday May 28.

Durham Crown Court heard things soured when an ex-boyfriend of Sarah Bradley turned up, sparking an argument with her sister.

Their confrontation spilled out into the street, with lots of shouting and screaming.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said Gemma chased Sarah at knifepoint into another house, where she emerged saying she had been stabbed.

The clash continued with Gemma arming herself with a hammer and striking Sarah on the arm.

As a neighbour tried to intervene, Gemma threw the hammer towards Sarah, causing the peacemaker to take evasive action.

Sarah, meanwhile, picked up a spade and threatened to attack her sister.

Mr Morley said the neighbour disarmed Sarah and led her to a nearby home.

Gemma remained in the street and threw stones at the house, one of which smashed a pane in the kitchen window.

Police were called and Gemma was arrested later that evening, while Sarah was detained the following day.

Mr Morley said the neighbour whose home was used as a refuge, told police the incident was, “the last straw”, as Gemma had previously thrown stones at her property, out of perceived jealousy because she had developed a friendship with her sister.

Both Bradleys, who are aged 26, appeared jointly via video link from Low Newton Prison, where they have been on remand recently.

They each admitted affray, while Gemma also admitted criminal damage and harassment of the neighbour.

The court heard both have previous convictions, including for offences of disorder.

Judge Christopher Prince told defence counsel Paul Abrahams and Jennifer Coxon that given the time the sisters have spent in custody, he could impose suspended sentences on the pair.

Both were given 12-month jail sentences, suspended for a year, during which they must take part in Probation Service-supervised rehabilitation activity sessions.

A five-year restraining order was put in place preventing Gemma Bradley from contacting the neighbour.