A SERIAL victim of domestic violence had to be restrained by police when she lunged at her boyfriend with a knife, a court heard yesterday.

Amanda Swan called officers to her home because she wanted them to throw out her partner Paul McIntyre, Nicholas Ralph, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates.

But while police were talking to her at Mr McIntyre's bedside, 22-year-old Swan produced a kitchen knife with a 4in blade. She held it at head height, pointed it towards Mr McIntyre and lunged forward.

Two police officers wrestled with Swan, of Woodfield Road, Harrogate, and disarmed her. She later told them she had only intended to scare Mr McIntyre.

Swan pleaded guilty to affray and her solicitor, Geoffrey Rogers, said she had ended her four-year tempestuous relationship with Mr McIntyre after being the victim of numerous assaults by him.

Mr Rogers said Swan had called the police because she feared that she was about to be attacked again.

Following an argument in front of the officers, she picked up the knife.

Swan said she had stopped drinking following the offence.

She was put on probation for two years and ordered to pay £80 costs.