Alcoholic in knife rage

ALCOHOLIC Angela Horsnall stabbed a knife through a door in anger when she believed her partner had been unfaithful to her.

The 44-year-old's partner was locked in her home on August 13 and had to climb out of a window to escape.

When he returned the pair argued and he said he was going to leave, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt said: "She would not allow him out. He realised he wasn't going to be able to leave. She started throwing pots and pans.

"He went in the bathroom and she stabbed the door on a number of occasions. The knife went straight through the door."

Horsnall, of Sturgess Street, Stoke, was arrested. She kicked a police officer when taken into custody.

She pleaded guilty to affray and assaulting a police officer at an earlier hearing.

Anis Ali, mitigating, conceded Horsnall acted inappropriately and the use of a weapon was an aggravating feature. But he said she has now stopped drinking and asked Judge Paul Glenn to suspend any prison sentence so Horsnall can receive support in the community.

Judge Glenn sentenced Horsnall to seven months in prison, suspended for two years, with two years' supervision. He also ordered her to pay £100 compensation to the police officer and £400 prosecution costs.