FOUR women were involved in an “ugly” disturbance in a residential street amid “high emotions” following a relationship break-up.

Durham Crown Court heard the confrontation took place outside a terraced house in Chester-le-Street, following the end of a relationship between two of the women involved.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the situation was “confused”, with, “inconsistencies” in accounts.

But, he said it appeared one of the defendants, Nikki Smith, went to the premises, in Ripon Street, intending to see ex-partner, Jade Davison, at 10.20pm on May 13 last year.

Mr Towers said she rowed with Kimley Round, who lived at the house, but it developed into a fight, with Smith picking up a kitchen knife at one point.

As neighbours came out to see what was going on, she said the knife was kicked under a car.

Round said she came out of the house after a window was smashed and becoming involved in the clash with Smith, who she claimed threatened her with the knife.

Returning inside, the door was kicked open and, in the ensuing melee, she suffered a head injury.

Davison claimed to have disarmed Smith of the knife and held it up later, “to ward off further attack”.

Mr Towers said Bradford accepted shouting at a neighbour, threatening to burn down his house, while dragging Round back into the house.

Twenty-seven-year-old Smith, of Gribdale Road, Middlesbrough, admitted having a bladed article in public and affray.

Bradford, 38, and 36-year-old Round, both of Ripon Street, plus 23-year-old Davison, of Tudor Grove, Sunderland, all admitted affray.

Peter Kilgour, for Smith, said she was, “emotionally stressed from the break-up of the relationship”.

“She accepted going to the house, picking up the knife, once there, and brandishing it, as emotions ran high among all these ladies that day.”

Bill Davison, for Round, said: “In an act of decency she gave accommodation to a lady who was homeless.

“Her window was put out and she went out, reacting as she did.

“She came back in, where she was hit in the face and knocked out.”

Charlton Carr, for Bradford, said she only went out and became involved because Round appeared to have been attacked.

Jane Waugh, for Davison, said she went out to disarm Smith, and only subsequently held the knife up, inside the house, fearing attack.

Judge Simon Hickey described it as, “an ugly incident”, which could have resulted in serious injury or worse, with a knife, or knives involved.

Smith, Bradford and Round were given nine month prison sentences, suspended for two years.

Davison was given a six-month sentence, also suspended for two years.

Smith must also perform 150-hours’ unpaid work, and Davison 100 hours.

Round and Bradford must also undergo two years’ probation supervision.