Victims groups fear a decision not to jail an Oxford University student, because of her ‘talent for medicine’, could discourage others who suffer domestic violence to come forward.

Lavinia Woodward, 24, stabbed her boyfriend Thomas Fairclough in the leg on December 30 2016, after an alleged drug fuelled fight.

The pair had met on Tinder and allegedly had a fight when Cambridge PHD student Fairclough threatened to call Ms Woodward’s mother.

Ms Woodword then allegedly punched him before picking up a bread knife and stabbing him in the leg.

View photos Lavinia Woodward stabbed her boyfriend in the leg during an alleged drug fuelled fight. Photo: Yahoo UK More

She admitted to a charge of unlawful wounding, an offence which the judge said would normally mean a custodial sentence.

However he deferred the sentence for four months, hinting that she would not face jail time because of her ‘extraordinary talent’.

View photos Woodward has escaped jail after admitting to stabbing her then-boyfriend. Source: Supplied More

"It seems to me that if this was a one-off, a complete one-off, to prevent this extraordinarily 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,” the judge said.

"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."

View photos The 24-year-old is said to be exceptionally bright - too bright to go to prison. Source: Supplied More

View photos The defence argued a conviction would ruin her career. Source: Supplied More

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