A WOMAN stabbed her lover with a kitchen knife and threatened to kill him after he refused to lend her £20, a court heard.

Jeanette McMorrow also threw several punches at Anthony Allanby when he came to her home in Davenport Gardens on June 28 last year.

But McMorrow was spared jail by Deputy Circuit Judge Robert Brown because of previous mental health problems.

Bolton Crown Court heard that McMorrow, aged 43, had been detained under the Mental Health Act since the incident.

Mr Allanby and the defendant, who had been in an "on-off relationship" for three years, had been planning to spend the evening together.

They became embroiled in an argument after Mr Allanby had refused to lend McMorrow £20 — having given her £30 the previous evening.

McMorrow became so angered she "lashed out" at the victim, punching him 12 times with both fists, the court heard.

She then said "I'm going to kill you" and disappeared into the kitchen, before emerging with a knife which she was waving around.

Mr Allanby told her to put the knife down and then lifted his leg to kick out as he was so concerned.

McMorrow then stabbed him through the shin, inflicting a single stab wound.

She then punched him four more times during a struggle, in which Mr Allanby said he struck her back and then held her down until she calmed down.

When she was released McMorrow ran out of the house, followed by Mr Allanby, before sneaking back in and locking the victim out, who then called police.

McMorrow admitted assault on the basis that she did not intend to injure Mr Allanby.

Mr Allanby has attended court with McMorrow at earlier hearings and the court heard he had forgiven her for the incident.

Sentencing Judge Brown said: "I am satisfied that this particular incident took place at a time when your mental health was deteriorating.

"I have read the report and clearly, unfortunately for you, you have quite a long history of mental health.

"I am satisfied from my experience that you are far better off under the community treatment order than you would be under any penalty that the crown court could impose."

McMorrow was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge.