A Camborne survivalist who took a home made stun gun and knife to discuss childhood issues with her father told him she wanted him to be "part of my demise."

Kerry Adele Small, 41, of Stray Park Court, Pengegon, had been collecting weapons and food in case of war, magistrates heard.

She appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court on Monday to plead guilty to having a stun gun without authority, and possessing an offensive weapon, a knife, in a public place.

Anita Kennett for the CPS said Small had completely lost her self control when she met with her father, who was planning to live in the Phillippines and had since emigrated there.

She waved the knife towards him, cocked the stun gun towards his face and said: “I want you to be part of my demise.”

Her father, who received a small nick to his hand, took the weapons from her and restrained her.

The stun gun, said Ms Kennet, had been adapted from part of a fly zapper.

Small, who had a mental health worker with her for her police interview, said things had been getting on top of her when the offences occurred. Her cat had been ill and she was trying to find the money for its treatment. When her electricity went off, it was the final straw.

She had not been drinking for seven years, and that day had drunk three quarters of a bottle of vodka before deciding to confront her father about issues she had had with him since she was a child.

In the past, she said, when she had tried to speak to him, he had always shouted her down, and she decided to take weapons with her so that he would take her seriously.

Ms Kennett said Small said she had packed bags in case there was a war and she had to survive in woods.

Her solicitor Neil Lewin said Small lived an isolated existence, and had a support worker call once a week. There had been negativity in her life she had tried to avoid and had cut her father from her life and the effect he was having upon her.

He said the defendant’s sister said Small had been preparing and collecting weapons, food, knives and all sorts of survival equipment to survive in the wilderness. She was fixated with germs and contamination

Community psychiatric nurse Paul White said Small, who was now in contact with a mental health team, had been diagnosed with a personality disorder.

Her case was adjourned to November 1 for reports to be prepared for the court.