Student who knifed her lover ‘too clever to go to jail’
Judge: Job hopes would be at risk
A BRIGHT university student who stabbed her boyfriend could be spared jail, because the judge fears it would damage her career.
Aspiring heart surgeon Lavinia Woodward, 24, punched and swiped at the man with a bread knife during a drink and drug-fuelled row.
The Oxford University student then stabbed him in the leg before hurling a laptop, glass and a jam jar at him.
Woodward admitted a charge of unlawful wounding, which Judge Ian Pringle said would usually result in a prison sentence.
But he suggested this would be unfair as it could affect the “extraordinary” job prospects. Judge Pringle told the court: “It seems to me that if this was a complete one-off, to prevent this extraordinary, able young lady from not following her long-held desire to enter the profession she wishes to would be a sentence which would be too severe.”
Addressing Woodward, he added: “What you did will never, I know, leave you but it was pretty awful, and normally it would attract a custodial sentence, whether it is immediate or suspended.”
Woodward had punched her Cambridge-educated boyfriend in the face before picking up the knife and stabbing him at Christ Church college.
Prosecutor Cathy Olliver said the behaviour of the student, who had met her boyfriend on the dating app Tinder, had “deteriorated” at the time of the attack on September 30.
James Sturman QC, defending, said his client had experienced a “very troubled life”. He added Woodward’s dreams of becoming a surgeon were “almost impossible” as she would have to disclose her conviction.
But Mr Sturman claimed Christ Church will allow the student to return to her studies in October.
The court heard this was because she “is that bright”, and has had artistudent’s
To prevent her from entering her profession would be too severe JUDGE IAN PRINGLE ON IMPACT OF A JAIL TERM
cles published in medical journals. Judge Pringle delayed sentencing for four months. Woodward, who will be sentenced on September 25, was given a restraining order and told to not re-offend.
The student, who currently lives in Milan, Italy, was present at Oxford crown court as sentencing was deferred.
A spokesman for Christ Church college said: “I’m afraid that Christ Church does not comment on the circumstances of individual students.”