A SALTCOATS woman has avoided jail after calling police to her house and pulling out a knife.

Marion Gianetti admitted calling police claiming to be suicidal before pulling out a vegetable knife as they escorted her to an ambulance, claiming “He told me to do it”.

The 51-year-old, who appeared from custody on a separate charge, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week after admitting being in possession of a knife.

Fiscal depute Vicky McMillan told the court: “Just after midnight on October 23 police officers attended at the accused’s home address due to the accused advising that she was feeling suicidal.

“After an ambulance was requested police officers escorted the accused to the ambulance outside her home and as she was about to leave she reached into her pocket and pulled out a vegetable knife and threw it on the road.

“She stated to police ‘He told me to do it. He told me to slash her tyres’ .

“Due to having a knife in her possession she was arrested in relation to that and cautioned and charged.

“After being looked at by ambulance crew she was taken to Saltcoats Police Office.”

Defending Gianetti, of Wheatley Road in Saltcoats, Paul Gallagher told the court his client’s life had spiraled out of control due to a difficult relationship with a male friend.

He added: “There’s quite a significant problem with alcohol.”

Sentencing her, Sheriff Michael Hanlon told Gianetti she needed to take steps to sort her life out.

He said: “It seems some form of intervention is needed.

“This is a serious matter you have been convicted of.

“It seems your life has taken a turn.

“I have some understanding of why that has taken place and can understand that but you need to do something to make sure this doesn’t keep happening.”

Sheriff Hanlon sentenced Gianetti to 12 months supervision.