Caroline Laybourn, 32, was grabbed by visitor Andrew Close who threw her outside.

Teesside Crown Court heard that during the struggle she suffered a small puncture wound in her thigh.

The court heard Laybourn was peeling potatoes at home when she heard about the incident involving her daughter and she raced to the neighbour's house.

Laybourn told police when she was arrested that there had been bad feeling between her and her neighbour, Emma Marie Anderson, which she claimed was sparked by jealousy.

Prosecutor Robin Denny said she accepted that there had been a row at the Hartlepool house and that she had received an injury before she was ejected.

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said Laybourn had been suffering from depression at the time of the incident.

He added: "Fortunately she was the only person who was injured, which perhaps shows the danger of having knives.

"She is hoping now to move away from the area. There have been no reported problems since, which is to the credit of all parties."

Mr Abrahams said Laybourn, who admitted the affray on February 14, had been given a scare following the incident because initially she was charged with more serious offences.

Judge Bryan Forster told Laybourne it was sad to see a woman of her age before the courts for such an incident.

He said: "It was all over something and nothing. But people who behave in that way are committing an offence which justifies a custodial sentence."

Laybourn, of Otterpool Close, Hartlepool, was given a nine-month jail sentence suspended for two years with supervision.