Judge Paul Downes at Norwich Crown Court commended PC Andrew Wise for his bravery and the efficient way he handled the situation involving 40-year-old Samantha Marie Ainley.

Ainley, of 190 Anthony Nolan Road, Fairstead Estate, previously denied threatening to kill Geoffrey Dance and an offence of affray.

On Monday, she pleaded guilty to affray.

The threatening to kill charge was left on the court file.

Judge Downes adjourned the case until Tuesday, October 30, for sentencing and further assessment of the danger posed by Ainley.

Mr Malcolm Robins, prosecuting, said Ainley barricaded herself into her flat after threatening to stab Mr Dance, who was there at the time.

He escaped but she then refused to put down two knives.

She refused to speak to anyone except PC Wise.

Speaking to Ainley through an open window, he persuaded her to put down one of the knives but she then threatened to stab herself in the leg.

Mr Robins said: "He pacified her and the other knife was then put down."

PC Wise went into the flat and arrested her.

The court heard Ainley had a number of previous convictions for violence including threatening someone with a knife and false imprisonment.

Mr Stephen Spence, for Ainley, said: "She is very vulnerable." She thought she was being taken advantage of at the time.