



A sex game went wrong when a student tried to carve a heart into her boyfriend's chest - and almost killed him.

But Catherine McCoubrey has escaped a jail sentence for the bizarre attack during a bout of "rough sex".

Despite doctors' doubts, the victim not only recovered - but agreed to take her back.

Catherine McCoubrey, 25, and her 24-year-old partner had been drinking heavily.

He apparently asked her to carve the shape of a heart in him during what prosecutors called "rough sex" in February 2007 - but unfortunately, she pressed too deeply.

Defence lawyer John McAmmond the unnamed victim introduced his client to "body modification", and had carved himself with knives before.

McCoubrey, from Winnipeg in Canada, has now been given three years' probation after pleading guilty to assault.

They can legally resume their relationship after a contact order was waived.

Six years ago a man in Winnipeg who was asked by his lover to spank her with a leather belt and a wooden chair leg was convicted of assault causing bodily harm.