A woman stabbed her partner during a drunken row that brought an end to their “rather poisonous” relationship, a court heard.

Samantha Appleby, also known as Shaw, took a long-bladed kitchen knife and plunged it into the back of her partner at their home in Shotton Colliery, on August 5.

Durham Crown Court was told police received a phone call from her to say an “unknown person” had stabbed her partner.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) Sam Ponniah, prosecuting, said on arrival at their home police found the injured man shirtless with a puncture wound to the back.

When officers spoke to the defendant she told them her partner went to a shop and on his return someone stabbed him.

Neighbours were spoken to and they told officers the couple had been arguing and they suspected she was the actual assailant.

CCTV in the area was checked and showed no one coming or leaving their property at the time.

Mr Ponniah said a hooded top with a puncture wound and other clothing covered in blood was found in the washing machine.

On his way to the hospital, the casualty said she (Appleby) had stabbed him using a long kitchen knife with a jagged bottom.

The victim, who was in severe pain, was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where it was confirmed the knife injury had punctured his left lung which had to be drained of blood.

Although he later told police that what he had said in the ambulance was correct, he would not give a statement but added that as far as he was concerned it was the end of their relationship.

Appleby was arrested and taken to custody where it was realised she was suffering acute alcohol withdrawal and so she was then transferred to hospital.

At her first appearance at the crown court, on September 3, the 36-year-old defendant, formerly of Hawthorn Terrace, Shotton Colliery, admitted a charge of unlawful wounding, which was “accepted” by the Crown.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) Mr Ponniah told the court: “I should make it clear she was the victim of domestic violence on occasions and that formed part of the Crown’s reason for accepting it as a section 20 offence (unlawful wounding), rather than section 18 (wounding with intent).

“The attack took place under the effects of alcohol and attempts were made to dispose of evidence.”

The court heard the defendant has seven convictions for 16 offences, seven of them for violence, but none previously for anything more serious than common assault.

Chris Baker, for the defendant, said having read through reports prepared for the court the only “theme” was that it would, “realistically”, result in a prison sentence.

“Miss Appleby appreciates the position she is in and is disappointed that’s the only option for the court.

“She appreciates the court has no real choice in the matter, in the circumstances.”

Referring to the contents of the Probation Service’s pre-sentence report, Mr Baker told the court: “She has now been alcohol-free for 71 days.

“She has used her time in custody positively, working with DART (the drug and alcohol recovery team) and Alcoholics Anonymous, and is undertaking a course, working in prison and she is now an entirely different person than the one who went into prison.

“She appreciates when she has been outside in the past that she has not been able to fully accept and benefit from her previous community orders which have been imposed.

“She is aware the authors of these reports are concerned that when released back into the community there may be, just, too much temptation for her.

“But, upon her release, she wants to move entirely away from where she has been residing.

“She doesn’t wish to re-enter the rather poisonous relationship she has had with the complainant.

“But, she is genuinely sorry for what she did.”

(Image: The Northern Echo) Mr Baker said: “Although she didn’t admit it on the night, she did phone for an ambulance when she realised what she had done.”

He said all of her offending has taken place since 2020, having previously led a law-abiding life.

But she has suffered from what has been diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following knife attacks on her parents, for which the perpetrator was charged with attempted murder and jailed.

Mr Baker added that her life has “spiralled out of control” since then.

Judge Deborah Sherwin said she had noted the defendant’s offending was all in the last four years when she has been in her 30s.

The judge said it was clear her alcoholism began due to the problems in her personal life.

She told Appleby it was clear her relationship with her now ex-partner was one that, “did neither of you any good.”

“You stabbed him in the back after a row.

“It’s capable of being a really serious injury, but I have no reason to think he has not made a full recovery, and I’m told the relationship is now at an end.”

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The judge said she was left with no choice but to impose a prison sentence.

Imposing an 18-month prison term she told Appleby it would have been two years but for her guilty plea.

As a parting shot, the judge told Appleby: “I know you have made progress and I hope that continues and there will be a better future for you.”