Stabbed partner

Published on 8th February 2007 in News

A mother from Old Goole who stabbed her boyfriend with a kitchen knife during an alcohol-induced argument has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates this week.

Tracy Partington (39), of Percy Street, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She appeared at Goole Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to be sentenced.

Prosecutor Mrs Louise Reevell told the court that Miss Partington had been in a relationship with the victim for five years and had a previous police caution for stabbing the same man in the arm two years ago. The knife attack left the man with an injury to a tendon in his arm and he required an operation to repair it.

On October 21 this year the couple had both been out drinking. They met up at 7.30pm when the defendant went to the victim's home with her daughter.

At 10.30pm, after having more to drink, the couple began arguing. She hit out at him with keys she was holding. They struck him on the head, causing a cut. She then threw a mobile phone and a cup at him.

The couple became involved in a scuffle and it was at that point that the victim punched Miss Partington on the arm.

Miss Partington retreated into the kitchen and the victim followed her. She grabbed a kitchen knife and began jabbing it at him. He put his arms up to protect himself and she stabbed him in the arm.

She put the knife down but quickly picked up another knife. She jabbed out at him again, this time plunging the knife into his other arm.

Police were called to the address and Miss Partington told one of the officers: "I've stabbed the bastard".

In interview Miss Partington told police they were both drunk and admitted hitting her boyfriend with keys, causing a wound to his head. She admitted throwing the phone and cup at him and stabbing him on purpose. She said it happened because she was drunk.

The victim needed five stitches to the wound on his head and four stitches to each wound on his arms. Miss Partington suffered bruising to her arm.

Defending, Mr Richard Thompson said that his client suffered from a low level of depression and had a bad temper.

He said: "She ackowledges this is a very serious incident, one in which she used a weapon."

The court heard that since this incident the defendant had ended her relationship with the victim.

Mr Thompson said: "This was a bad situation for her to be in and she has cut all ties with the complainant. She is now in a new, much more positive, relationship.

"She lost her self-control with serious consequences on this occasion."

In sentencing, presiding magistrate Mr Ray Sampson said: "This is a serious offence. You used a knife, and not for the first time, to stab someone. This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is acceptable."

Miss Partington was sentenced to 56 days in prison, suspended for 18 months. During that time Miss Partington will complete a supervision order which will include an anger-management course and help tackle any alcohol problems.

She was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim but no court costs were awarded.

Before Miss Partington was allow to walk out of court, Mr Sampson told her: "You need to control yourself. If you don't I am certain you will go to prison."