A POLICEWOMAN has received a bravery award for her part in a dramatic stand-off with a knife-wielding woman.

PC Maureen Ali and her partners watched the woman punch holes through a closed cupboard door with a 9in blade as she fought to keep them at bay.

The woman, who had earlier been involved in a domestic incident, held police back at knifepoint for more than ten minutes, repeatedly lunging at them, before she was overpowered and arrested.

PC Ali, of Chester-le-Street police, plus PC Colin Mason and Sergeant Anthony Foster were given a Chief Constable's Commendation for their bravery on the night.

The drama began when PCs Ali and Mason, on their way to a domestic incident in Sacriston, County Durham, were flagged down by a woman, who was on her way to call 999 regarding a more serious incident in the town. PC Ali said: "She told us that a woman had stabbed her ex-boyfriend who was hiding in the next-door house."

The woman had allegedly broken into the house and hidden in his bed. When he came in, she allegedly leapt out from under the covers and stabbed him.

The house, which was "full of clutter" and had no lights was searched - but it was assumed the knife wielding woman had left through an open ground-floor window.

But when a police dog failed to pick up a scent, officers decided to carry out a second search of the home.

PC Mason was in the upstairs bedroom when he heard a movement behind him and turned to see the woman leap out of a cupboard brandishing a knife.

PC Ali said: "I heard him shout 'put the knife down.' The suspect was stabbing holes through the door with the knife. It was like a scene from the movie, The Shining."

The woman was sprayed with CS gas twice, but she kept lashing out.

PC Ali said: "When she lunged at me again, I struck her on the arm with a baton. When Sergeant Foster struck her on the arm she lost her balance."

PC Mason dived on her followed by PC Mali, who managed to wrestle the knife free.

Chester-le-Street Community Inspector Paul Anderson said: "The officers were very brave. It was in the dark and they just had torches in a confined area, with a woman waving a knife around trying to stab them.

"Their bravery certainly prevented further injuries."

The woman has admitted five offences relating to the incident with the police.