A WOMAN who downed booze and drugs before knifing her boyfriend has escaped time behind bars after a judge heard she had "integrity and charm".

Stephanie Roberts, 20, had gone out drinking with her 19-year-old boyfriend before unleashing the terrifying attack on him with a seven-inch kitchen knife.

3 Stephanie Roberts, 20, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm - but escaped prison time Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

The young woman had taken the anti-psychotic drug Xanax before stabbing Benitez while visiting him at Warwick University on November 24 last year.

Roberts, of South Kensington, London, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. But she was spared jail at Warwick Crown Court after the judge heard her described as "an intelligent young woman of integrity and charm". The court heard the young woman had been "manipulated" by her boyfriend before the attack. 3 Ravi Benitez was slashed in the face by his then girlfriend Credit: Facebook Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said the couple's relationship was "toxic", telling Roberts: "It was a very, very dangerous way to behave, because if you take out a knife when you are distressed and angry and have had a lot to drink, you can cause very serious injuries indeed. "Both he and you are very fortunate you did not do so on this occasion. "But I have read a great deal about you, and both the prosecution and the defence accept I must sentence you according to your basis of plea which makes clear you had for some time been the victim of a mentally abusive relationship. "Your circumstances had pushed you to the limit, and the combination of drink and drugs that had been supplied to you by him that night were sufficient to push you over the edge." 3 The court heard that the 20-year-old had 'integrity and charm' Credit: SWNS:South West News Service Prosecutor Steven Bailey had told the court Mr Benitez had been giving Roberts Xanax before the fateful night, with the young woman in a "a high emotional state". She picked up the large red-handled kitchen knife and began to kick and slash at her boyfriend's door. The court heard Roberts pointed the knife at Mr Benitez before telling him: "I'd rather kill the person who's f****ed me up the most - you. I know perfectly well what I'm doing." She then called her father, telling him: "You need to get me before I kill him, you need to get me right now.

She is described as an intelligent young woman of integrity and charm Adam Western, defending

"You come here right now, or it's the end."

Mr Benitez pleaded with her: "Oh please, Steph, please go away."

The court heard a security guard was recorded on his bodycam pleading with Roberts to drop the knife, telling her: "You'll make it a hell of a lot worse."

Roberts then lunged at Mr Benitez slashing his face and hand as he tried to protect himself, telling him: "You liar, you liar. You lied to me, you liar."

Security officers were able to disarm the woman, with Mr Benitez suffering deep stab wounds to his cheek and index finger, and a cut to his nose.

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Adam Western, defending, said: "She had been subject to controlling behaviour and isolated from her friends.

"She says he manipulated her entirely. She is described as an intelligent young woman of integrity and charm."

Roberts was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, a rehabilitation activity and a restraining order banning her from having any contact further contact with Benitez.

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