A 40-year-old woman, haunted by a tragedy in 1991 on Akers Way in which five young people lost their lives, could escape jail after she stabbed her husband twice during a drunken row.

Kim Thompson plunged the kitchen knife into husband Mark's chest and arm in July before wandering into the street yelling, 'I've stabbed him'.

But after learning of the sadness that had already touched Thompson's life and the support she was receiving from her husband, a judge at Swindon Crown Court decided not to jail her on Friday.

Instead, he put off passing sentence for four months, telling the defendant to get help from the Swindon and Wiltshire Alcohol and Drugs Service and to keep in touch with her doctor regarding medication.

At an earlier hearing, unemployed taxi driver Mark Thompson said the stabbing was an accident and had made them re-evaluate their relationship.

He said: "I think we can live together. It was just a stupid accident that happened on that evening. Under normal circumstances it would not have happened.

"We got ourselves into a marriage rut and this has given the pair of us a right kick up the backside."

Ian Halliday, prosecuting, told the court that the couple had known each other for 11 years and married in 2000.

"Mrs Thompson was seen by neighbours going round shouting, 'I have stabbed him'. The police formed the opinion she had been drinking to excess that evening."

Mark was taken to hospital when he had four stitches to a one inch (2.5cm) wound to the right side of his chest and two sutures to a cut to his upper right arm below the shoulder.

Thompson, of Keynsham Walk, Park South, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

The court was told that her only previous conviction was in 1997 when the RSPCA prosecuted her for neglect of a dog.

Chris Smyth, defending, said the Thompsons had lived together since she pleaded to the offence and Mark had been very supportive.

He said: "What is clear is she has not come to terms with that accident on Akers Way."

Deferring sentence Judge Charles Wade said: "You stabbed your husband twice during a domestic argument when you were both heavily intoxicated.

"Fortunately he was not seriously injured but there is no doubt using a kitchen knife is a very dangerous thing to do.

"It appears up to that point binge drinking had rather characterised your life; it was something you both indulged in. I understand the very tragic circumstances relating to your daughter.

"The court could be considering sending you to prison for a significant time. This deferral is intended to give you help."

Tina Clarke