Gran stabbed partner while he watched TV in bed after he punched her in the face

A grandmother attacked her partner with a large knife while he watched TV in bed, a court heard.

Sharon Cope used the kitchen knife to attack the man after he punched her in the face.

The couple had had a row in their Wythenshawe, south Manchester home before Cope went to the kitchen and found the 'largest' knife available, Manchester Evening News reported.

The 51-year-old struck him with the knife twice.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said: "I feel annoyed at Sharon by what's happened, and now I am in a lot of pain.

"I also feel really down because my life has changed."

In the six months prior to the attack things 'were not good' between the couple, prosecuting Paul Dockery told Manchester Crown Court.

Police had previously been called over 'arguments' and 'disputes' between the pair.

"I have seen evidence of and I am satisfied that it was a mutually abusive relationship, with each of them abusing each other both verbally and physically, certainly by the time of this incident," the judge, Recorder Robert Lazarus, said.

"This relationship featured excessive drinking and alcohol related problems on behalf of the defendant and her then partner."

On March 11 last year Cope had become 'argumentative' before the victim 'dispatched her with a sharp word', Mr Dockery said.

He then punched Cope in the face, causing her to fall.

After grabbing the knife from the kitchen, Cope stabbed him in the leg, just above the knee, the court heard.

She then inflicted another blow to his shoulder area.

He didn't initially seek medical attention, but later went to Wythenshawe Hospital.

Cope pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding.

Defending, Tom McKail described the relationship as 'turbulent', adding that Cope had been provoked.

He said: "The fact that he has behaved in such a way of course is no excuse.

"Ms Cope has for want of a better word, retaliated in these matters.

"She has decided, for reasons not quite known to herself, to use a knife."

He said Cope regretted her actions 'almost immediately' and has expressed remorse.

Mr McKail said Cope, who has adult sons and grandchildren, was initially remanded in custody for ten days.

She spent time observing a curfew which would count towards any prison sentence.

The judge said it would be 'pointless' to send Cope to jail.

Recorder Lazarus said if he were to impose a sentence of 12 months in prison, Cope would serve about nine days after consideration of her being remanded in custody and the curfew.

Cope, of Nearcroft Road, Wythenshawe, was sentenced to a 12 month community order, to include 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and unpaid work.Follow the Official Rokna NEWS Telegram Channel For More and fresh NEWS.

Mirror