A PARAMEDIC who had tried to aid a suicidal woman was threatened with a knife when the drunk mother-of-two became aggressive.Maxine McHugh produced the knife from under her clothing at around 1am on October 29 last year after the East of England Ambulance Service had received a call from her claiming she had made an attempt on her life.

A PARAMEDIC who had tried to aid a suicidal woman was threatened with a knife when the drunk mother-of-two became aggressive.

Maxine McHugh produced the knife from under her clothing at around 1am on October 29 last year after the East of England Ambulance Service had received a call from her claiming she had made an attempt on her life.

The 39-year-old was sprayed with pepper spray by police officers after she waved the knife around her home in Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

She pleaded guilty at South East Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to a charge of affray.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “The police were called to assist a member of the ambulance service because it was understood a female had attempted to take an overdose.

“A file stated an act of violence had previously taken place at the address so the paramedic did not wish to attend the property alone.”

When the three entered the property they found McHugh sitting on the floor with two Staffordshire Bull Terriers running around.

Mr Davies said: “The medic said it was quite clear the defendant had been drinking alcohol.

“He was concerned about what else she had taken. At one point a search was carried out of the bathroom and there were capsules and medicine packets lying around.”

The paramedic made the decision to move the dogs out of the room while he dealt with the situation but it was at this point that McHugh became aggressive and pulled the knife out from her clothing.

Mr Davies added: “She got up from the floor and was in possession of a knife.

“She was brandishing it not particularly at anyone. She was getting quite emotional and angry.”

Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said: “Things were not going well for her on that day.

“Everything was fine until the dogs were taken away. What the paramedic didn't know is that there was a guinea pig in the other room and she was worried about its safety if the dogs went in there too.

“This is a 39-year-old lady with a property, family and responsible job as a HGV driver. It is an unusual and bizarre event.”

McHugh was given an 18-week custodial sentence suspended for a year, given 80 hours of unpaid work, made to pay £50 compensation to each of the two police officers and the paramedic and made to pay £55 court costs.