This is the jagged piece of broken plate used by a woman to kill her boyfriend.

Sarah Lewis wielded the improvised weapon, plunging it into the face of her partner Paul Lavelle at his Wirral flat last May.

The 50-year-old’s nostril was left badly cut resulting in him bleeding to death during the night.

Today, the ECHO can reveal the first picture of the otherwise ordinary piece of crockery which Lewis threw at her boyfriend before jabbing the broken shard violently into his face.

Lewis was today jailed for seven and a half years at Liverpool Crown Court , after admitting manslaughter.

The 46-year-old was accused of murder, but pleaded guilty to the less serious charge on the second day of her trial.

Police today issued a warning about domestic violence.

(Image: Handout)

Detective Inspector Allison Woods, of Merseyside Police , said: “The sentence of Lewis today will hopefully provide some comfort to Paul’s family, who continue to suffer the consequences of her actions that day.

“Lewis only chose to accept her guilt during her trial, dragging out the suffering of Paul’s family and friends in the process.

“I would like to thank Paul’s family for their bravery and courage during this ordeal, and assure anyone who is involved in domestic abuse to come forward and speak to people who can help the situation before it escalates.

“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone at any time regardless of gender, age and sexuality. It is important for people to recognise when it is happening to them and that confidential support and advice is available to those that need it.”

(Image: Handout)

As Mr Lavelle was dying at his flat in Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry , he phoned a business client and left a voicemail which said: “This place is a bloodbath, it’s a f***ing bloodbath.”

Following the attack, Lewis took several photos of her boyfriend’s face and then left to spend the night at her sister’s home, despite having not spoken to her for about 15 months.

When she returned the next day she found Mr Lavelle dead, sitting on the edge of the bath.

He had not taken any steps to get help, or contacted the emergency services but had repeatedly phoned Lewis, making eight calls, which all went through to her voicemail which she deleted.

(Image: Merseyside Police)

No audio clips remained for detectives to establish if and how Mr Lavelle had been murdered.

Lewis, of Croxteth Avenue, Seaforth , and Mr Lavelle had been in a relationship for around a year after meeting on a dating website.

But their relationship was often stormy, the court heard, especially when they had drunk excessive amounts of alcohol, with police being called out on numerous occasions.

For more information about how to report domestic violence, or to seek specialist support, call the confidential 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

This helpline is free and run in partnership by Refuge and Women’s Aid.