A WOMAN has walked free from court – despite causing serious long-term knife injuries to her former partner.

Jill Percival threw a kitchen knife into the calf of her partner of 12 years, Stephen Wood, during a row following a night at a pub in Frosterley, County Durham, on December 9.

Durham Crown Court was told both had drunk a lot and argued over whether Mr Wood should look after dogs at the home of his parents.

Mark Styles, prosecuting, said: “He told her it wasn’t necessary because he’d made alternative arrangements.

“On their return home, Percival struck him in the face, before emerging from the kitchen with a 12in knife.

“The next thing he can recall was a sharp pain in his left calf and he collapsed onto a sofa, bleeding heavily. She immediately apologised and when neighbours turned up, she said: ‘I’ve gone too far this time’.”

Mr Wood drifted in and out of consciousness and underwent surgery for a wound which was 9cm deep and damaged a major nerve.

He left hospital five days later, but Mr Styles said the injury has had “a profound effect”

on him, leaving a prominent scar.

Several months on, he still suffers pain, loss of feeling in the lower left leg and foot, plus an inability to bend his toes.

Mr Styles said Percival told police she intended to throw the knife towards the floor.

Victoria Lamballe, mitigating, said: “She gave admissions that she threw the knife down. It was a reckless, rather than a deliberate act.”

Miss Lamballe presented 30 character testimonials to the court on Percival’s behalf.

“They speak of her utter decency, integrity and contribution to the community at large. She’s disgusted at her actions that night,” she said.

“She shared her life with this man for more than a decade and she’s distressed at the harm she’s caused.”

Percival, 33, of Holme Field, Frosterley, who has no previous convictions, admitted unlawful wounding.

Recorder Ben Nolan told her: “I accept it was an aberration and the overwhelming probability is you will not appear before the courts again.”

He imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which she will undergo probation supervision and perform 100 hours’ unpaid work.