The Port Kembla woman pleaded guilty to being in possession of a credit card knife after the illegal item was discovered in her purse during a random vehicle stop in Windang in February.

Wollongong Local Court heard the Nissan sedan in which Clifford was a passenger was pulled over on Windang Road around 2.25pm on February 25.

Officers noticed the trio inside acting suspiciously, prompting them to search the vehicle.

The knife, described in police documents as black in colour with a 6cm concealed metallic blade, was found in Clifford’s wallet among her other personal cards.

Asked in court how much she’d purchased the item for, the 19-year-old said it had cost her a dollar through an internet website.

She told police she often walked alone and needed the weapon “for protection”.

Magistrate Michael Stoddart convicted Clifford and placed her on a 12-month bond.

“Almost on a daily basis when you turn the news on you find out someone has been stabbed,” he said.

“I’m going to give you one chance….but if you come back here for the same offence you’ll be facing time in jail.”