A TEENAGE woman went out into the street armed — to help protect a younger boy from getting involved in a violent confrontation.

Elizabeth Mary Jane Bloomfield, 18, of Fort Street, Sandown, admitted possessing a bladed article, namely, a Stanley knife, and an offensive weapon, a dumbbell bar, both in a public place, on March 21, when she appeared in front of Island magistrates.

The boy, 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to the same two charges, possessing a Stanley knife and a baseball bat.

The boy, who claimed he had been receiving threats of violence on social media that a gang would attack him, went out to confront them armed, the court was told.

Bloomfield learned of this and went out with the intention of protecting him, armed only with the dumbbell bar.

The incident happened close to her home and the knife was never pulled out.

For both teenagers, who had no previous convictions, Oscar Vincent said the boy, for no apparent reason, began to receive a number of threats and he initially chose to ignore them.

However, it escalated. He did not want them coming to his home and chose to face them, said Mr Vincent.

The boy contacted Bloomfield, who, concerned about his safety, told him not to react, but he continued with his plan, the bench heard.

Bloomfield, unaware the boy had a knife on him, carried the dumbbell bar just to scare the seven-strong group off.

There was an argument, without violence erupting, but as they walked away, the boy mentioned the knife and Bloomfield took it off him, said Mr Vincent.

The police then stopped them and arrested them. Both teenagers gave the police full and frank confessions.

The boy, who has ADHD, was handed a nine-month referral order, with £40 costs, while Bloomfield was given a two-year conditional discharge, with £85 costs.

Both were ordered to pay a £22 victim surcharge.