A BOYFRIEND who was stabbed in the back as he watched TV has declared he still loves his violent ex-girlfriend.

Rowan Birley inhaled the smell of roasting chicken moments before Elizabeth Bailey drove a kitchen knife between his shoulder blades in October 2013.

Southport District Court Judge Paul Smith yesterday sentenced Bailey to four years in jail for the grievous bodily harm that almost killed her victim.

The court was told the pair had been in a chaotic relationship for about five years.

On the night of October 5, the pair had an argument at Bailey’s Mudgeeraba home.

Defence barrister Scott Lynch said Mr Birley pulled his partner’s hair extensions out during the altercation.

Prosecutor Mel Franklin said the fight resolved itself and Bailey later went into the kitchen to cook dinner.

“She grabbed a knife, went over to him while he was sitting on the couch and stabbed him in the back,’’ she said.

“He said, ‘You didn’t, did you?’

“She said, ‘I hope you f***ing die.”

The court heard Mr Birley ran outside to get help.

About 15 neighbours reported seeing a knife lodged in his back.

Judge Smith recalled how Bailey told police numerous versions about what had occurred.

In all of them claimed she acted in self-defence.

Judge Smith said Bailey was lucky she wasn’t facing a murder charge.

“Without surgery he was at a high risk of death or physical deterioration,’’ he said.

Mr Birley used a victim impact statement to tell the court he “unequivocally” forgave Bailey for the stabbing.

“It was an alcohol-fuelled split second lack of judgment,’’ Judge Smith read.

“He loves and cares about you and doesn’t want you imprisoned.”

Mr Lynch said his client had struggled to cope with life.

The court heard she had made repeated suicide attempts and had been struggling with her mum’s cancer diagnosis.

Judge Smith said Bailey had shown “limited remorse” for her actions.

However, he said her apparent mental health issues had “significantly contributed to what happened on the night in question”.

Judge Smith said he would usually impose a five-year jail term but he agreed to reduce it, given Bailey’s age, mental health and lack of criminal history.

Judge Smith backdated the sentence to account for the eight months she had already spent in custody.

She will be eligible for parole in November of this year.