A woman who stabbed her partner in the neck and chest after a row over him buying cans of lager has walked free from court.
An argument erupted between Jill Ellwood and the victim because she thought his mobility issues prevented him from going to the shop to make the purchase. A court heard tensions were running high about arrangements for a night out and these were made worse by him buying beer for himself.
During an angry row at their home in the Sunderland area, the 57-year-old used a kitchen knife to inflict two superficial wounds to his neck and chest. Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told Newcastle Crown Court the victim did not want to make a formal complaint over the attack by his long term partner.
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Mr Wardlaw said: "He is a man of limited mobility who appears to rely heavily on the defendant to care for him." The court heard a day out in the Sunderland area had been planned for April 22 but there was some difficulty over the arrangements.
Mr Wardlaw said: "That ill-feeling was exacerbated because on his way home he picked up cans of lager from the local shop, something she normally did for him, believing he was unable to do so due to his mobility issues.
"What occurred was the two argued and she became agitated and threated to get a knife, which she then did and she used. She brought a knife from the kitchen and stabbed the victim twice, causing superficial wounds to his neck and chest."
Mr Wardlaw said while the knife wounds were "not the most serious wounds" they did require stitches. Ellwood, of Oxford Road, Hartlepool, County Durham, who has a job and has never been in trouble before, admitted unlawful wounding.
Judge Stephen Earl said the row "got out of hand" and Ellwood had been the victim of domestic violence before her relationship with the victim, who described that she was "triggered and flipped". Judge Earl said custody could be avoided in the "unusual circumstances" and sentenced Ellwood to a community order for two years with rehabilitation requirements and 200 hours unpaid work.
Barry Robson, defending, said the victim had sent a letter to the court, saying he had been "sarcastic and talking nastily" before the attack. He added: "Obviously this woman needs help with moving forward."
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