A woman who stabbed her boyfriend several times in a frenzied attack has been sent to jail - despite a plea for mercy by the victim.

Charles Melvin, who later withdrew his police statement, wrote to a judge to ask for leniency for Debra Davey, who inflicted one wound that severed an artery in his leg.

But Judge James O’Mahony said: “It could have been an absolute disaster. Mr Melvin could have suffered fatal injuries, whatever he says about it.

“But for repeated use of the knife, I might have been disposed to pass a suspended sentence.”

Davey admitted unlawful wounding.

Maidstone Crown Court heard she and Mr Melvin had a volatile relationship while living together in Manorfield, Ashford.

Jane Scotchmer, prosecuting, said Davey, 47, stabbed Mr Melvin during an argument on June 9, leaving him with the life-threatening injury.

Tests showed her alcohol limit would have put her twice over the legal driving limit.

Davey now lives in Quarry Road, Tovil, Maidstone.