A teenager was caught on a residential street with a knife has avoided jail.
Megan Graham threw the blade into a nearby garden when she saw officers approaching her in Dinnington, in Newcastle, after they were called to the scene in the middle of the afternoon.
The 19-year-old trainee hairdresser was then heard to shout "you're joking?" when she was told she was being handcuffed and arrested.
A court heard that officers then discovered the discarded weapon, a black handled kitchen knife, close by and it was seized.
Now, Graham, of Esher Place, Cramlington, has avoided an immediate stint behind bars after she pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Robert Lawson, prosecuting at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, said officers were called to Havannah Crescent, in Dinnington, at 3.15pm on April 27 this year.
He added: "The report said that there was a woman armed with a knife at an address.
"Police received further information to say she had left the address and was threatening to harm herself and others.
"Police drove to Havannah Crescent and saw Megan Graham. They drove up to her and saw her holding a black handled knife, which she dropped in a nearby garden.
"She was handcuffed for the safety of herself and others. She was arrested and said 'you're joking?'."
The court heard that Graham had no previous convictions but had been in a relationship, which involved "significant" drug use at the time.
Jack Lovell, defending, added: "Miss Graham was heavily under the influence. This would appear to be an incident of self-harm rather than running out into the street threatening other people."
Magistrates were told that Graham was taken to hospital after her arrest, where it was found she was suffering from drug-induced psychosis.
Mr Lovell said that Graham had now got her life back on track and her relationship had ended.
Graham was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
