A LANCASTER woman who admitted attacking another woman with a knife has been placed on probation with a condition that she continues to get help for her psychological problems.

Penelope Greer, 29, of Ryelands Road, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Nicola Ashworth when she appeared at Preston Crown Court.

The prosecution alleged that Miss Ashworth, who worked with Greer's husband for a Lancaster taxi firm, was stabbed last March. It happened after Miss Ashworth had argued with Mr Greer.

Mr Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said Miss Ashworth had gone to see Mr Greer and the "conversation became heated."

She grabbed the chain he was wearing and threw it to the ground before punches were exchanged.

As Miss Ashworth walked away from the scene she felt a sudden blow to the left arm. When she turned round she saw she had been stabbed by Penelope Greer with a kitchen knife.

In a police interview, the defendant said: "Someone else takes over. Someone called Maggie and Maggie is a violent person. Mr Bennett explained that she heard voices in her head. He said "she had tried to see if Nicola was all right."

Mr Keith Thomas, defending, asked that Greer should be placed on probation with a condition that she continues getting help for her psychological problems.

Assistant Recorder Ernest Ryder QC said that Greer may be suffering from "unstable personality disorder."

He said she had significant mental health needs but treatment by her current doctor was reducing the extent of her problems.

Greer was placed on probation for two years. She will continue to see doctors for her condition as part of her sentence.

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