A CREWE couple's love-hate relationship ended in violence when the man was stabbed following a drunken argument, a court heard on Tuesday.

The victim, Derek Rutherford, narrowly avoided being killed after his common law wife, Irene Hamilton, plunged a kitchen knife into his stomach.

The 39-year-old defendant, now of no fixed address, but formerly of Moathouse Drive, admitted causing grievous bodily harm. She was sentenced to two years probation.

She avoided being sent to prison after Mr Rutherford, of Broxton Drive, wrote a letter to the Court at Chester begging for leniency.

He asked Judge Derek Halbert not to be severe in his sentencing, and blamed himself for his wife's actions.

Mr Philip Hughes, prosecuting, said that the pair had a volatile relationship, with both subjecting the other to violence. Things got so bad they eventually had to live in separate houses.

On June 1 the defendant bought a birthday present for Mr Rutherford and they went for a walk in a park to talk about their relationship.

Hamilton took a two litre bottle of strong cider with her, most of which she drank, before they returned to her flat.

The drinking continued and friends were invited to join them.

The defendant's mood suddenly changed and she ordered Hamilton out. When he didn't leave she threatened to stab him. He didn't believe her but she went into the kitchen, got a knife and stabbed him deep in the stomach.

When paramedics arrived Rutherford tried to protect her, claiming a stranger at the door had stabbed him.

A doctor who examined his injuries described them as "potentially fatal".

Mr Peter Horgan, defending, said Hamilton couldn't remember anything about the stabbing and couldn't say why she did it.

He read out a part of a letter from Mr Rutherford which stated: "She has taken so many beatings off me in the past I don't know how she has put up with me for so long."

Judge Halbert said that it was a truly tragic case and took into account Hamilton's guilty plea and the remorse she had shown.

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