A boyfriend was stabbed by his partner after she complained he had stayed on a video call to a female friend for too long.
Ashley Simpson and her victim had been drinking at his home when he began a two-hour chat with the other woman. A court heard Simpson, 30, who had drank a bottle of Prosecco, three gins and some vodka, ended up stabbing the victim in the forearm and thigh and caused a cut to his chest.
The victim needed nine days off work, and has been left scarred and traumatised by what happened. Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court the couple had been together since last summer and the attack happened on February 28.
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Miss Buck said: "Both parties had been drinking heavily and were intoxicated. At about 11.30pm he began a video call with a female friend that lasted two hours. This appears to have been a conversation about the defendant's mental health and how he had concerns over her.
"The duration upset the defendant, who became emotional and began crying. He told her not to over-react and cause a scene. The defendant went to the kitchen and armed herself with a kitchen knife and told the complainant she was going to stab him. He said 'oh, go on then'."
The court heard after the wounds were inflicted the victim contacted the police and officers found him bleeding heavily. Miss Buck said Simpson told police what she had drank that night and added: "She said he was winding her up and had been on the phone to a friend for ages. She recalled going for the knife but couldn't believe she had actually done it."
Recorder Mark McKone KC told Simpson the attack was over "something trivial, him being on a video call to a female friend for a period you regarded as too long".
Simpson, of Ryal Walk, Kenton, Newcastle, admitted unlawful wounding. The judge said Simpson's situation has improved since she was remanded in custody and sentenced her to 22 months, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements. She was also given a five-year restraining order to keep her away from the victim.
The court heard Simpson has never been in trouble before. Jamie Adams, defending, said since her remand in custody on March 1 Simpson's mental health has improved, she is alcohol free and is "resolute for the future". Mr Adams added that Simpson has a good support network.
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