Zoe Davies, 35, (pictured outside Minshull Street Crown Court) knifed Christopher Pickford in the chest close to his heart

A mother-of-three who stabbed her abusive boyfriend and left him fighting for life after he told her he was having an affair, wept as she walked free from court today.

Zoe Davies, 35, of Heywood, Greater Manchester, knifed Christopher Pickford in the chest close to his heart when he admitted the fling with another woman during an argument.

Pickford, 33, lay dying on his kitchen floor as Davies was overheard screaming: 'I've stabbed him - I'm sorry' whilst a friend called for an ambulance.

Later she told police: 'I was just angry because I am sick of being undermined.'

Pickford was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery to save his life.

In a statement he said: 'I cannot describe the pain I was in. Being told by a doctor that I was close to death was a huge shock to me.'

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, stay-at-home mother Davies, also of Heywood admitted unlawful wounding but received a two year jail sentence suspended for two years.

She was originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has lost custody of her children.

The court heard the couple's five year relationship had been stormy and in 2015 Pickford was jailed for two months for being violent and controlling towards Davies.

But although he had been banned from contacting her under the terms of a restraining order, the pair kissed and made up and the stabbing occurred on July 7 last year when they were at his flat with a friend.

Ms Heywood (pictured) was originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She admitted unlawful wounding but received a two year jail sentence suspended for two years

Prosecutor Huw Edwards said: 'Alcohol and cocaine had been consumed and there had been petty arguments though the night.

'The friend went to sleep but woke up at 2.50am and went downstairs to see the defendant had her hand on Mr Pickford's chest trying to stop it from bleeding.

'She was repeatedly shouting that she had stabbed him and asked him to call an ambulance and repeatedly said sorry. She says they had been upstairs and he told her that he had been in a sexual relationship with another person. She says she threw him against the wall and went downstairs.

'He followed her downstairs and into the dark kitchen. He was stabbed in the chest and dropped to his knees. She was saying 'I am sorry' and was calling for help.

The court heard the couple's five year relationship had been stormy and in 2015 Pickford was jailed for two months for being violent and controlling towards Davies (pictured)

'The defendant was putting pressure on the wound and was visibly upset when emergency services arrived. She confessed immediately. As she was being questioned by police she kept asking if he was ok.'

Pickford suffered a stab wound to his chest, and doctors told him it was just inches away from his heart.

Mr Edwards said Davies admitted the offence when she was interviewed by police.

In mitigation defence lawyer Phillip Boyd said: 'These are very unusual circumstances.

Davies, pictured outside court, admitted the offence when she was interviewed by police

'She was absolutely appalled at what happened.

'She thought she was going to be prevented from leaving and thought he was going to cause her harm so she foolishly and recklessly grabbed the knife.

'This was in the midst of a very controlling and coercive relationship.'

Sentencing, Judge Bernadette Baxter told Davies: 'This relationship led to convictions of the complaint for offences of violence and harassment against you. At the time of this offence he was subject of a restraining order but both of you decided to go against this.

'There was the inevitable argument about each other's infidelity and this led to a flash point.

'He had followed you down into a dark kitchen and what followed was some degree of menace.

'You caused serious injury but as soon as you did it you applied pressure to the wound and tried to get help.

'The bleed was fixed and he recovered but you were very lucky. You could have killed him and you were lucky that you did not. You have three children but you sacrificed them for your own needs. You made those wrong choices. You have very much been given a chance. Make sure you take it.'

A lifelong restraining order was also made preventing Davies from making any contact with her ex-partner.