Sarah Wilson, 38, who was in a relationship with and acting as a carer for an 84-year-old pensioner, stabbed him in the leg with a kitchen knife after he grabbed her in a headlock and punched her. She has been spared jail.
Attack and Aftermath
Newcastle Crown Court heard that following a row on April 1 last year, the victim grabbed Wilson in a headlock and punched her in the face. Wilson then picked up a substantial knife with a 15cm blade and stabbed him in the leg. She called emergency services and stayed with the victim until help arrived. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he required surgery after being resuscitated.
Victim Impact
Prosecutor Claire Anderson read a victim impact statement to the court, in which the victim said he no longer lives independently and has moved into a residential care setting. He stated he was no longer in pain but had developed trust issues as a result of the offence.
Legal Proceedings
Wilson, of Blyth, Northumberland, with no previous convictions, was originally charged with wounding with intent. However, prosecutors accepted her guilty plea to the lesser offence of unlawful wounding. In mitigation, defence lawyer Lorraine Mustard said Wilson was acting as the victim's carer and was in a relationship of sorts. She noted Wilson had adverse childhood experiences, learning difficulties, and neurodevelopmental difficulties, and would have needed an intermediary had the case gone to trial.
Judge's Remarks
Recorder Andrew Latimer acknowledged that Wilson stayed with the victim, called an ambulance, and ensured he was looked after, which he said was very much in her favour. He noted that the stabbing took place in the victim's own home and that he was with someone he ought to have been able to trust. The judge told Wilson: 'I'm not going to send you to prison today.'
Sentence
Wilson was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was also given a five-year restraining order.
