A woman who was drunk attacked her partner with a knife and told him to "be a man, it's just a graze" after he said he was injured has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Cheryl Hall, 35, of Lloyd Avenue, Houghton-le-Spring, admitted a charge of wounding at Newcastle Crown Court. The incident took place in January 2025 after the couple, who had been in an on-off relationship, had been out for drinks.
Argument Escalated
When they returned home, they started kissing in the kitchen before the man accidentally laddered her tights, the court was told. An argument broke out which "got well out of hand".
During the incident, Hall slapped the man, hit him on the head and lunged at him with a small knife. In between the bouts of violence, the prosecutor said, Hall verbally abused her partner. When he told her she had cut his elbow, she said: "Be a man, it's just a graze."
Further Violence
Due to her erratic behaviour, her partner followed her around the house. At one point, he stopped her from throwing a TV at his car. At another time, after smashing a bottle of wine, the defendant picked up some of the glass shards and said she would "show him how to self harm", the court heard.
Her partner suffered a fracture to his hand, an incision to a finger and an injury to his forearm. In a statement, he said he felt shocked after the incident and his mental health suffered.
Sentence
Passing sentence, Recorder Brian Whitehead told her: "You were intoxicated and ended up in an argument with your partner at the time. It got well out of hand."
"There were elements of violence which culminated in you lunging at him with a small knife. He was able to block that before it caused a wound. We are all very fortunate that it was not far more serious."
Hall was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. Recorder Whitehead also ordered a probation requirement and an alcohol abuse monitoring requirement. In addition, he imposed a five-year restraining order.
He told Hall: "If you commit any further offences within the next 18 months, you will be brought back and you're likely to be sent to prison. I hope you will take the help that's offered and we never see you again."
