A WOMAN who stabbed her former partner in the chest with a kitchen knife during a heated row has been spared jail.

Burnley Crown Court was told victim Craig Spark suffered a collapsed lung in the attack at the hands of Jacqueline Walmsley at a house in Burnley on October 25.

Judge Sara Dodd said she accepted 30-year-old Walmsley was acting in self-defence and that she feared for her own immediate safety.

Walmsley, of Coultate Street, Burnley, was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful wounding.

Sentencing Walmsley to two years in prison, but suspending it for 24 months, Judge Dodd said: “At 30 years of age you had never been before the courts prior to these proceedings. Although you do have a caution for battery from 11 years ago.

“But in the early hours of October 25 you stabbed the victim, causing a one and a half centre metre incision.

"He suffered a collapsed lung which resulted in several days' hospitalisation. Clearly that has had an ongoing impact on him and his family.”

Walmsley said she stabbed Mr Spark during an argument. She said the knife was present in the room and that she feared it would be used against her.

"She also said that she aimed for the victim’s shoulder when she landed the single blow with the knife.

Judge Dodd added: “This was a serious injury in the context of these offences.

"You used a knife to cause this injury. To mitigate I accept this was excessive self-defence.

“I must also consider the ongoing effect on Mr Sparks and the fact you were under the influence of alcohol.”

Walmsley must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.