Woman jailed for stabbing man who leapt from window

Awoman who chased a man down a Fife street and twice stabbed him after accusing him of stealing her DWP money and “trying it on” has been jailed.

Kelly Horne left Craig Easson with a 2cm stab wound to his left side and 1cm wound to his left buttock during the attack in Kirkcaldy, which was captured on CCTV and played in court.

Mr Easson had jumped out a window and fled down the street after being accused of stealing money.

Horne, 33, of Alford Avenue, Kirkcaldy, previously pled guilty to the charge of pursuing Mr Easson and repeatedly striking him on the body with a knife to his injury.

An accomplice, Benjamin King, 32, admitted assaulting Mr Easson by pursuing him and bringing him to the ground during the attack in March 2020.

Court papers state that the incident took place in Alford Avenue and Beauly Place.

Horne and King appeared together in the dock at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for sentencing.

Sheriff James Williamson told Horne: “I think I have made it clear (previously), your behaviour in the street was outrageous.

“Having looked at the report, I have thought long and hard about a noncustodial sentence but I’m afraid I cannot (do this).”

The sheriff, who had also described Horne’s actions as “appalling”, jailed her for 18 months.

Horne became tearful as she was led away from the dock in handcuffs.

Horne’s defence lawyer, Ross Bennett, had told the court that his client felt “somewhat betrayed” by Mr Easson, who had been staying with her and her partner for a couple of days prior to the incident.

The solicitor said an

altercation took place between Mr Easson and coaccused King, which left the complainer with a “bloodied head”.

Mr Bennett said Horne then took Mr Easson into the bathroom and tended to his minor cuts but she claimed he twice “made a pass” at her while the door was closed.

The lawyer said a short time later, Horne discovered money she was keeping in her purse – a grant received from DWP – had disappeared.

He said his client was “certain” Mr Easson had taken the money.

The solicitor said: “At this point Mr Easson was having a cigarette at the window and jumped out and was pursued by my client and the co-accused.

“My client was livid

firstly, with him trying it on and, secondly, the fact that he had – according to her – stolen money when he had been living with her rent-free.”

The court heard Horne has a criminal record but her lawyer stressed she had not offended since 2019, other than one case of shoplifting.

Mr Bennett acknowledged using a knife is serious but said the injuries were “not particularly significant”.

King’s solicitor, Kerr Sneddon, previously said his client chased Mr Easson and “sort of rugby tackled him to the ground and held him and did not know anything about the knife”.

King was sentenced to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work as part of a community payback order.

“I think I have made it clear your behaviour in the street was outrageous

KNIFE CHASE: Kelly Horne had accused the victim of stealing her DWP money.