A WOMAN has been hauled before the courts over possessing a samurai sword.

Rebecca Lowe was before the courts over her possession of the weapon in a row over dog excrement.

The 30-year-old was charged by police with possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

She entered a guilty plea at an earlier hearing, with sentencing adjourned until recently at Warrington Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard from prosecutor Nicola Parr how events involved in the incident unfolded in Runcorn on November 25 last year.

Lowe had in her possession a samurai sword exceeding 60cm in length in a row over people not picking up poo left by their dog on Rose Close.

Having judged the case, magistrates deemed the offence was serious enough to merit a community penalty.

Lowe, of Rose Close, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She was also ordered to pay a fine of £50, costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £120 and a statutory victim surcharge of £114.

An application was approved for the sum to be deducted from her benefits.

Magistrates approved another application from the prosecution for the forfeiture and destruction of the samurai sword.