Mum stabbed ex-partner in row at home

Charlotte Harding, 24, stabbed the victim in the chest at their then home in Hayling Island.

She admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and received an eight-month suspended sentence.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Harding’s sister and a male friend had visited the then couple’s home in Southwood Road on the night of the attack in December 14, and the victim and the man went to a nearby pub.

An hour later they swapped and Harding went to the pub.

The court heard that an argument broke out between Harding and her partner when they were back at the property. The male visitor said he saw blood on the victim’s jumper and Harding’s hands, but could see no weapon.

The victim was later taken to hospital where he told staff Harding had stabbed him, however he told police he did not want to press charges.

No weapon has been identified.

The court heard Harding made statements recorded on an officer’s body worn video camera, including ‘I have done nothing wrong but stab a man that tried to stab me’ and ‘if you knew how he treated me you would understand why I did what I did.’

In defence of Harding, who is pregnant and has a new partner, the court was told she had drunk more than she usually did that night, but had not drunk since June.

Addressing Harding, Judge Linda Sullivan QC, sentencing, said: ‘You used a knife on him and you cut him to his right chest, and he and you are fortunate that it appears to have been no more than a superficial wound. It certainly didn’t pierce the lung and was not regarded as being life-threatening.’

Judge Sullivan accepted Harding’s basis of plea that she was acting in self-defence, but said that her behaviour was not a defence.

She added: ‘You could well have been responsible for his death so you are fortunate indeed.’

Harding was put under supervision for a year.