Woman slashed friend in street after drunken row got nasty

‘SERIOUS DISTRESS’: VICTIM WAS WOUNDED JUST BELOW EAR

A WOMAN slashed a friend in the street after a drunken argument turned nasty, a court heard.

Danielle Follows was socialising with three women at her home in Mottisford Road, near Abbey Lane, in Leicester, when tempers became frayed.

Angry when criticism was levelled towards her, the 34-year-old defendant “reacted badly” and produced two knives from a kitchen cupboard and ordered her guests to leave in a “threatening manner”.

John Farmer, prosecuting, told the city’s crown court: “The upshot was that the three women left.

“The defendant then left her home with a knife and pursued them, angry and no doubt affected by alcohol.”

Follows took a swipe at one of them, but was pushed away.

Mr Farmer said: “It caused a limited, but full thickness [of the skin], wound just below the ear.

“The three women continued to the safety of the complainant’s home and the police were called.

“The incident caused serious disorder and serious distress.”

Follows, who appeared via a live video link from prison, admitted unlawful wounding and possessing a knife in a public place, Mottisford Road, in August.

The court heard her record of previous convictions included assaulting an emergency worker and making a threat to kill.

Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: “She has recently served a prison sentence and been in custody for some time now.”

He said the defendant was in an “emotional turmoil” due to relationship difficulties she was experiencing at the time.

Mr Garvey added: “She fully understands her behaviour was unacceptable and she will be be receiving a prison sentence in respect of this matter.”

Sentencing, Recorder Patrick Upward QC said: “This is yet another example of too much drink and too much emotion intervening.

“Fortunately the victim wasn’t injured to a grave extent.

“But swinging a knife around like that in those circumstances could have led to the death of the victim concerned.

“I accept it wasn’t premeditated and I can give you some credit for your guilty pleas.”

Follows was jailed for 12 months. She was made the subject of an indefinite restraining order banning any contact with the victim and one of the witnesses.