Diane Finley first confronted the mother of one of the children in Horden Football Club before going to her house at about midnight the same evening.

Finley, 56, demanded to see the child's mother again, Durham Crown Court heard.

"The door was opened by the mother's partner, Ian Ferguson," said Ros Scot Bell, prosecuting.

"He refused to let Finley in the house. At some point, Finley fell backwards, suffering a minor injury. She got up and lashed out at Mr Ferguson with a knife, causing a chest wound which required hospital treatment."

Finley, of Rodgers Close, Horden, admitted unlawful wounding on November 17, last year.

But she denied the more serious charge of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Despite admitting the charge, Finley later claimed she was the 'victim' and only had the knife for self-defence because of the area she lived in.

Judge Michael Cartlidge asked Mark Styles, defending, why Finley was carrying a knife if she did not intend to cause someone serious harm.

Mr Styles replied: "She took the knife with her from the house because of the nature of the locality in which she lives."

Judge Cartlidge adjourned the case for the preparation of pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.

The judge told Finley: "You will be sentenced next month and I cannot predict the outcome.

"But this is clearly a very serious offence and you simply should not be going about with a knife, even if you do have fears of living in Horden."

Finley was bailed on condition she live either at her Horden address or with her sister in Accrington, Lancashire.

She must not enter either the Cotsford Lane Estate or Horden Football Club.

The judge fixed sentence for June 27.

Speaking from the doorstep of her bungalow in Rodgers Close she told the Mail: "I'm a victim as much as him.

"I'm 57 years old. It's been six months since I moved in and I have heart and lung disease which is why I pleaded guilty.

"I've been bad with my nerves."

Mr Ferguson declined to comment.