A WOMAN who plunged a 10ins kitchen knife into her partner's chest has been spared jail after her victim admitted he helped drive her to the edge.

Joanne Sutherland, 27, could have faced five years behind bars after stabbing Martin Urwin in the chest during a row at their home.

But in a letter handed into the judge at her sentencing hearing yesterday Mr Urwin confessed to a catalogue of torment in the months leading up to attack.

In the handwritten note he admitted being violent to her on numerous occasions during their two-year relationship, which included banging her head off a brick wall and trying to strangle her.

He also admitted smashing in her front door as she slept and even trying to urinate on her.

He said in the letter, which he had prepared for an earlier hearing,: "I still love her".

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the stabbing happened on April 7 at the couple's home in Hebburn after an argument broke out.

Prosecutor Glen Gatland told the court how during the argument Sutherland, who had been drinking cans, grabbed Mr Urwin's t-shirt and told him to leave.

Mr Gatland said: "He pushed her away causing her to bang against a door.

"She appeared to be looking around the immediate area.

"Mr Urwin saw her as she selected a knife from a magnetic knife holder on the wall.

"She raised it above her head and plunged it into the left side of Mr Urwin's chest."

The court heard how friends who were at the house separated the couple, who have now broke up, and Mr Urwin, who was "extremely shocked" was taken to hospital.

He received stitches to his wound and medics said he was "very lucky" as the blade had been so close to his heart.

Sutherland was arrested and told police she had not meant to hurt him and there had been a history of domestic violence with the police being involved on several occasions.

Defence barrister Rachel Hedworth told the court: "She utterly regrets her actions and is absolutely horrified at the situation."

Sutherland, of Eastbourne Parade, Hebburn, who has no previous convictions for violence, admitted unlawful wounding.

As well as the letter from Mr Urwin, testimonials as to Sutherland's positive character were handed into court.

Mr Recorder Brian Forster sentenced her to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with supervision for 18 months.

The judge said she could so easily have been facing a murder charge.

But he added: "I have regard to the fact you have been driven to the edge in these circumstances.

"The court has considered the letter from the victim and he admits he behaved terribly badly, attacking you, trying to urinate on you and behaving in a way no woman in a relationship would find acceptable."