A WOMAN chased a group of youths brandishing a knife, a court heard.

Chung Fang Wang, aged 45, of Charles Street, Wey-mouth, admitted possessing a bladed article in a public place when she appeared at the town’s magistrates’ court.

She also admitted having a Tazer torch and CS spray in her home when police searched it.

Heather Jackson, prosecuting, said: “On September 20 this year, police received an emergency call asking them to attend the junction of Ranelagh Road and Charles Street in Weymouth.

“It was 7.45pm and a female saw a Chinese female chasing a youth with a knife. A further report to the police said that the woman had thrown the knife at the youth. Armed officers approached the house where the woman had come from and knocked on the door.

“There was no reply and officers forced it open. Officers searched the address and two prohibited weapons, the Tazer and the CS spray, were located.”

She added: “Witnesses to the scene described Wang as shouting and screaming at a group of youths.

“They then said that the female threw what looked like a meat cleaver towards one of the boys. “They say they saw a silver blade that sparkled when it hit the ground. The knife did not make contact.”

Police found a six-inch kitchen knife at Wang’s home along with the other implements.

Wang told the court, through an interpreter, that a friend in London had given her the items for protection and she did not know she should not have them as in China the rules are different.

Magistrates heard that Wang rented rooms out in her house to students and holidaymakers and she had no friends or family in the area.

Holly Huxtable, mitigating said: “Ten days prior to the incident Wang had been assaulted by one of the youths.

“He had rung her doorbell and when she answered the youth punched her in the face.

“This matter was reported to the police and a statement was taken. Wang was suffering harassment from several youths at the time. Her doorbell was being rung at all hours, causing her great distress.”

Miss Huxtable said on the day of the incident Wang had been cooking and went outside with a knife she had been using, not meaning to use it for intimidation.

She said Wang asked the youths to stop ringing her bell and was chased by one of the group.

Wang will appear at Dorchester Crown Court on December 17 for sentencing.