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Oxford medical student Lavinia Woodward spared jail for knife attack | Oxford medical student Lavinia Woodward spared jail for knife attack |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An "extraordinary" Oxford University student has avoided jail for stabbing her boyfriend in the leg. | An "extraordinary" Oxford University student has avoided jail for stabbing her boyfriend in the leg. |
Lavinia Woodward, 24, admitted attacking the man at her student accommodation at Christ Church College after drinking heavily. | Lavinia Woodward, 24, admitted attacking the man at her student accommodation at Christ Church College after drinking heavily. |
At an earlier hearing Judge Ian Pringle QC said he believed a custodial sentence would damage her career. | At an earlier hearing Judge Ian Pringle QC said he believed a custodial sentence would damage her career. |
On Monday she was given a 10-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months for inflicting unlawful wounding. | On Monday she was given a 10-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months for inflicting unlawful wounding. |
Oxford Crown Court heard Woodward attacked her then boyfriend, who she had met on dating app Tinder, while he was visiting her in December. | Oxford Crown Court heard Woodward attacked her then boyfriend, who she had met on dating app Tinder, while he was visiting her in December. |
She became angry when he contacted her mother on Skype after he realised she had been drinking. | She became angry when he contacted her mother on Skype after he realised she had been drinking. |
'Relatively minor' injuries | 'Relatively minor' injuries |
She threw a laptop at him and stabbed him in the lower leg with a breadknife, also injuring two of his fingers. Woodward then tried to stab herself with the knife before he disarmed her. | She threw a laptop at him and stabbed him in the lower leg with a breadknife, also injuring two of his fingers. Woodward then tried to stab herself with the knife before he disarmed her. |
The court heard Woodward had become addicted to drugs while in an abusive relationship with a previous boyfriend. | The court heard Woodward had become addicted to drugs while in an abusive relationship with a previous boyfriend. |
The case was the subject of huge debate about inequality in the criminal justice system, prompted by the judge deferring sentencing and describing the attack as "a complete one-off". | The case was the subject of huge debate about inequality in the criminal justice system, prompted by the judge deferring sentencing and describing the attack as "a complete one-off". |
He had described Woodward as "an extraordinary able young lady" and said a custodial sentence would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon. | He had described Woodward as "an extraordinary able young lady" and said a custodial sentence would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon. |
Handing down a suspended sentence, Judge Pringle said there were "many, many mitigating factors" and the injuries inflicted were "relatively minor". | Handing down a suspended sentence, Judge Pringle said there were "many, many mitigating factors" and the injuries inflicted were "relatively minor". |
He said she had shown a "strong and unwavering determination" to get over her Class A drug and alcohol addiction. | He said she had shown a "strong and unwavering determination" to get over her Class A drug and alcohol addiction. |
"I find that you were genuinely remorseful following this event. Whilst you are a clearly highly-intelligent individual, you had an immaturity about you which was not commensurate for someone of your age." | "I find that you were genuinely remorseful following this event. Whilst you are a clearly highly-intelligent individual, you had an immaturity about you which was not commensurate for someone of your age." |
Judge Pringle said Woodward faced a possible maximum sentence of three years in prison for a "category two" offence of unlawful wounding. | |
The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, said Woodward had voluntarily suspended her studies. | The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, said Woodward had voluntarily suspended her studies. |
"It is clearly a matter of regret and sadness when any young person blights a promising career by committing a crime. | "It is clearly a matter of regret and sadness when any young person blights a promising career by committing a crime. |
"The question of her future will now be decided by the University, which has procedures in place when a student is the subject of a criminal conviction. | "The question of her future will now be decided by the University, which has procedures in place when a student is the subject of a criminal conviction. |
"The result of deliberation can be penalty of expulsion by the Student Disciplinary Panel, but the length and outcome of this confidential process... cannot be pre-judged." | "The result of deliberation can be penalty of expulsion by the Student Disciplinary Panel, but the length and outcome of this confidential process... cannot be pre-judged." |