A MOTHER who plunged a 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 many 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, South Tyneside, after an argument broke out.

Glen Gatland, prosecuting, told the court that during the argument Sutherland, who had been drinking alcohol, 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."

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

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.

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 said: "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.