A WOMAN has been put on an alcohol treatment programme after attacking her boyfriend with a kitchen knife. Laura Divall, 23, took a knife out of a kitchen drawer and told Stephen Biggs: I am going to f...... kill you. She held the knife to his throat a

A WOMAN has been put on an alcohol treatment programme after attacking her boyfriend with a kitchen knife.

Laura Divall, 23, took a knife out of a kitchen drawer and told Stephen Biggs: "I am going to f...... kill you."

She held the knife to his throat and made a slicing motion, which caused a three to four-inch scratch to his neck, St Albans Crown Court heard on Monday.

Prosecutor Natalie Carter said Divall and Mr Biggs had been in an "on-off" relationship for five years.

On the evening of the attack - September 21 last year - Mr Biggs returned from work to find Divall drunk.

"She hit him in the face. He stayed calm which enraged her further," said the barrister. It was then Divall got out the knife. Mr Biggs dialled 999 and Divall could be heard shouting she was going to kill him.

Divall, of Vinters Avenue, Stevenage, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Mr Biggs. She was of previous good character.

Miss Carter said the couple's relationship had a turbulent background with Mr Biggs having been taken to court on two occasions. She said they were now living apart.

Defence barrister Sam Stein said Divall had acted in self-defence, fearing she was going to be attacked.

Judge Joseph Gosschalk said the offence was committed because of Divall's alcohol abuse. "Partners are entitled to be protected from physical attack," he said.

In addition to the alcohol treatment programme, the judge ordered that Divall is placed under supervision by probation officers for a year.