Aspiring heart surgeon Lavinia Woodward, 24, swiped at her boyfriend with a bread knife, before stabbing him in the leg

An 'extraordinary' Oxford University student who stabbed her Tinder lover with a bread-knife could be spared jail after a judge said a custodial sentence would damage her future career as a heart surgeon.

Lavinia Woodward, 24, swiped at her boyfriend with the blade, before stabbing him in the leg.

During her drunken and drug-fuelled rage at Christ Church College, Oxford, she then hurled a laptop, a glass and a jam jar at him.

Woodward, who currently lives in Milan, Italy, previously admitted unlawful wounding at an earlier hearing.

Judge Ian Pringle said the offence would normally mean a prison term, but instead delayed sentencing and slapped her with a restraining order to stay drug-free and not to re-offend.

He told the court: 'It seems to me that if this was a one-off, a complete one-off, to prevent this extraordinary able young lady from not following her long-held desire to enter the profession she wishes to, would be a sentence which would be too severe.

'What you did will never, I know, leave you but it was pretty awful, and normally it would attract a custodial sentence, whether it is immediate or suspended.'

Woodward (pictured) previously admitted a charge of unlawful wounding at Oxford Crown Court

Judge Ian Pringle delayed sentencing for a period of four months and hinted Woodward won't be jailed - because of her 'extraordinary' talent

Prosecutor Cathy Olliver said Woodward met her ex online and at the time of the attack, September 30, her behaviour 'deteriorated'.

The student's boyfriend called Woodward's mother on Skype, and his then-girlfriend punched him in the face before assaulting him with the knife.

Defending, James Sturman QC said his client's dreams of becoming a surgeon were 'almost impossible' as her conviction would have to be disclosed.

Woodward had a 'very troubled life', struggled with drug addiction, and had been abused by another ex, Mr Sturman said.

Lavinia Woodward will be sentenced on September 25.