A mother-of-three who plunged a kitchen knife into her husband's neck during a violent row has walked free from Court.

Alyson McMahon, 35, told police after the stabbing: "I didn't mean to do it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stab him, I just couldn't take another beating.''

Bradford Crown Court heard how John McMahon collapsed in the kitchen of the couple's home after the stabbing last November and had to be helped by a neighbour.

Prosecutor John Topham described how the two-inch bladed knife was still protruding from Mr McMahon's neck and neighbour Neil Joblin used a towel to stem the flow of blood.

Mr McMahon was taken away by ambulance, but Mr Topham revealed that the knife was left in his neck until it could be removed by surgeons at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

As a result of the stabbing, Mr McMahon suffered an injury to his spinal cord which caused severe weakness in all four limbs.

He attended court yesterday with his wife and Mr Topham revealed that he never wanted her to be prosecuted for the stabbing.

Both had been out drinking on the day of the stabbing and Mr Topham confirmed that there was some evidence to support McMahon's claims that she had been punched and grabbed around the neck by her husband during the argument.

McMahon, of St Margaret's Avenue, Holme Wood, Bradford, pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge of unlawful wounding and yesterday was sentenced to two years in prison, but the jail term was suspended for two years.

Judge Roger Scott indicated that Mr McMahon's attitude towards the case was an exceptional factor which he could take into account.

He told McMahon: "On the night in question it does appear that he in some way assaulted you. You bore the marks which were evident to a police officer very soon after the events.

"On this occasion you decided you could take no more and in an unlawful fashion you took a knife in the heat of the moment, probably under the influence of drink, and plunged the knife without thinking into the body of your husband."

Judge Scott said it was a matter of luck as to where the blow landed and he noted that she could have been facing a charge of murder.

"It seems to me there is no great purpose in locking you up," he added.

Judge Scott ordered that Mr Joblin should receive a £250 reward from public funds for his public-spirited actions in helping Mr McMahon.

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