Woman who threw kitchen knife at partner shown 'mercy' by judge (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Woman who threw kitchen knife at partner shown 'mercy' by judge

9:20am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Bradford By Jenny Loweth, T&A Reporter

A young woman who threw a kitchen knife at her partner in a “moment of madness” was shown mercy by a judge.

Jade Moore, 23, only intended to scare her boyfriend, Paul Ridley, but the knife hit him, causing a stab wound to his side, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

The court heard Mr Ridley had not wanted the case to go to court and the couple’s relationship was ongoing.

Sentencing Moore to ten months’ imprisonment suspended for a year, and ordering her to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work, Judge John Potter told her: “It is clear you are a good, caring and loving person towards vulnerable people in our community.

“I accept this was a momentary piece of madness. I accept you will regret it for the rest of your life. I accept it was wholly a one-off incident.”

The court heard that on March 15 this year the couple went out to celebrate Mr Ridley’s birthday but they had too much to drink and began arguing. The argument continued in a taxi and when they got back to their home in Grape Street, Allerton, Bradford.

Mr Ridley went upstairs but Moore got a knife from a kitchen drawer and followed him.

Judge Potter said: “You picked up the knife and waved it around in a jokey manner.”

She then threw it towards him, possibly at the step where he was standing, and it landed on him, puncturing his skin and causing a 2-3cms stab wound around his ribs. He also suffered a small puncture to his kidney.

Moore then called the ambulance.

Prosecutor Bashir Ahmed told the court Mr Ridley spent five days in hospital but, apart from a small scar, he had made a full recovery.

Mr Ahmed said: “Mr Ridley confirms he wishes the relationship to continue.

“He describes what happened as an accident and says he never wanted the matter to go this far.”

Moore pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

Judge Potter told Moore there was a welter of mitigation available to her and added: “You are clearly someone who is deserving of the court’s mercy.”