Woman stabs partner, wants relationship

A Southland woman who stabbed her partner during a drunken argument about six months ago has written him 170 letters since the assault and wants to resume the relationship.

He has read them all and says it’s possible they will be together again.

Jeanette Ann Ferguson, 51, who pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with reckless disregard, was sentenced to 18-months prison by Judge Mark Callaghan when she appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday.

Judge Callaghan said Ferguson was at home drinking with her partner in Riverton at the time of the assault.

They were both intoxicated when an argument developed and she picked up a knife and lashed out at him.

The man received a gash 6cm long and lacerations to his hand.

‘‘You told police you had cut the victim but he was being abusive during the argument.’’

She was remorseful and said it was a spur of the moment incident, the judge said.

The victim had received a lot of correspondence from Ferguson since the stabbing incident, the judge said.

‘‘He says it’s clear you are remorseful and it’s a possibility the relationship will continue.’’

Defence lawyer Fergus More said Ferguson had sent the man 170 letters, all of which he had read.

‘‘There’s a possibility of a relationship developing,’’ More said.

Also in the Invercargill District Court yesterday, Judge Callaghan sentenced Daniel James Simpson, 22, to seven months home detention after he admitted charges of burglary, possession of a firearm and wilful damage.

An $18,000 motorbike was stolen from a garage in the burglary and it had not been recovered.

The judge, who said the burglary was planned, ordered Simpson to pay $18,000 reparation.