A HEAVY drinker described by a judge as "a dangerous woman" is starting a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence after threatening to kill her husband.

Beverley Burnham, 43, made the "vicious" vow in a telephone call to her teenage daughter, prosecutor Harry Hadfield told Teesside Crown Court.

She was said to be angry that husband Stewart - the victim of three earlier attacks by her - had been out for most of the day and was in the pub.

Her husband said in a victim impact statement: "I really felt if the police had not attended, then my life would have been under threat.

"Bev is very violent under the influence of alcohol. This is the latest in a long list of incidents where Bev has used violence against me."

Mr Burnham added: "I feel if no action is taken against her or if she is allowed to return to this house, I am in danger."

Judge John Walford was told that Burnham once slashed her husband three times across the chest with a potato peeler after an argument.

She had four previous convictions for violence - three against Mr Burnham, Mr Hadfield told the court.

Jennifer Coxon, mitigating, said Burnham "understands the gravity" of what she did even though she does not accept alcohol played a part.

Describing her as a dangerous woman and her threats as vicious, Judge Walford told Burnham: "You get drunk and are unable to curb your temper.

"Worryingly, the assessment of the probation officer is that you pose a high risk of causing serious harm, and that must be particularly to your husband."

Burnham, of Roscoe Road, Billingham, admitted making a threat to kill and breaching a suspended prison term imposed for attacking her husband.