Too good for jail

An Oxford University student who stabbed her boyfriend could be spared jail because she has ‘extraordinary’ talent . Lavinia Woodward, 24, stabbed her boyfriend in the leg with a bread knife before throwing a laptop, a glass and a jam jar at him, during a row fueled by drink and drugs. The aspiring heart surgeon pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding at Oxford Crown Court, an offence that would normally result in a jail sentence.

Despite the guilty plea, the judge does not want to ruin her career chances.

It sort of makes sense to me, but it is difficult for some people to swallow. If she was a Pakistani girl who aspired to run the local grocery store, then she would presumably not be given the same break.

Quote: Pacomartin

An Oxford University student who stabbed her boyfriend could be spared jail because she has ‘extraordinary’ talent . Lavinia Woodward, 24, stabbed her boyfriend in the leg with a bread knife before throwing a laptop, a glass and a jam jar at him, during a row fueled by drink and drugs. The aspiring heart surgeon pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding at Oxford Crown Court, an offence that would normally result in a jail sentence.

Despite the guilty plea, the judge does not want to ruin her career chances.

It sort of makes sense to me.

Hope she don't do heart surgery with a bread knife. Yikes!

Sounds like "picnic rage" aided by the drink/drug intake. A bread knife might have a serrated edge but is usually not that sturdy. Doesn't sound like the 'wound' was all that serious. A custodial sentence would be normal and customary but a public service oriented sentence makes more sense.

And yes, its true: someone aspiring to own a local Indian (curry takeaway) would not ever be considered for such a diversionary setting. The UK has a zillion Indians, it does need quacks though. Should a promising candidate's career be thwarted by a momentary impuse?

Besides,,, she strikes a great pose.

Bread knife as in the flat, short, blunt knife placed with bread servings? Or a long, sharp, serrated knife for slicing bread? The former is less dangerous than a fork, the latter is serious.

Sentencing can take all sorts of factors into account. I don't know how British law goes, but a guilty plea and diminished capacity (being drunk), can go a long way towards reducing a sentence from jail to probation (are there plea deals in Britain?).

Psyco chick. Sad if she becomes a surgeon some guy will marry her thinking he hit the jackpot.

Quote: Nareed

Bread knife as in the flat, short, blunt knife placed with bread servings?

You are probably correct. Its more in keeping with the jar of jam picnic setting than slicing their own loaf of bread.

Even better reason for diversion. Let her be graduated and then do umpteen hours of community service in a charity ward. Or let her read ekg's for three months.

It seems the incident took place in the boyfriends apartment, she had previously been in an abusive relationship and had recently taken up drug use. Her sentencing has been deferred, she might still get a custodial sentence but the Judge will look at her progress in rehabilitation for what is considered an out of character reaction.

Quote: Fleastiff

It seems the incident took place in the boyfriends apartment, she had previously been in an abusive relationship and had recently taken up drug use. Her sentencing has been deferred, she might still get a custodial sentence but the Judge will look at her progress in rehabilitation for what is considered an out of character reaction.

Like I said, Psycho Chick.

Quote: AZDuffman

Like I said, Psycho Chick.

Well, the BBC did report that she lives in Milan.

Crime of passion, first offense. She should
walk. The boyfriend probably had it coming.