A MOTHER has been sentenced to five years in prison after stabbing her partner four times in a frenzied attack.

Elizabeth Dempsey pounced on her lover after discovering she was going to leave her for another woman.

Winchester Crown Court heard how an intoxicated Dempsey let herself into her victim’s home in Romsey, on the evening of July 24.

Tom Wilkins, prosecuting, explained how the victim, whose eight-year-old daughter was also home at the time, told Dempsey she no longer wanted to be with her, and explained that plans were afoot to start a relationship with someone else.

This, Mr Wilkins added, prompted the 45-year-old to lock the front door, hide the key in her bra and take a seven inch blade from the kitchen.

When she then entered the lounge with the weapon, the victim made her way to the front door to try and escape.

“She tried to get the front door open,” explained Mr Wilkins,”but it took around 20 seconds because it was locked.

“During this time, she was stabbed in the back, what she thought was twice, but the evidence now reveals it was quite clearly four times; she then managed to get out of the house before, as she says, ‘flopping’ onto the ground.

“She said she thought she was going to die and couldn’t even tell her daughter that she loved her (as she found it so difficult to breath).”

Neighbours, who had seen the 11.05pm attack, promptly came to her aid. They accused Dempsey of the assault, who responded “you do not know what she is like.”

The police and an ambulance were then called. However, following the accusations, Dempsey ran back into the house and stabbed herself in the side, puncturing her liver.

Both women were then taken to Southampton General Hospital, where Dempsey was arrested.

Following a four-day stay in care, it was discovered the attack had punctured the victim’s right lung – an injury she is still yet to recover from.

In a previously conducted interview, she said: “Mentally, I have been struggling with what had happened; suffering from flashbacks.

"I feel like I am still in shock.

“I loved Lizzie so much, I have no idea why she did this. (I would like to) ask her why she did this, but I fear I will never know.”

Dempsey has since been diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, something Sarah Jones, defending, said she used alcohol to counteract.

“(This incident) began in what had become a difficult and unhealthy relationship,” Ms Jones added.

“Before this she had only been in heterosexual relationships and had given up a lot for it to work.

“In the last six months of the relationship, Dempsey believed an affair was taking place; which it now turns out was true.

“As a result, she became increasingly depressed which she dealt with by drinking.

“She had twice attempted suicide and was prescribed with antidepressants because she had been so devastated by the affair.

”In the weeks before the incident, she was also due to have a home visit from a member of the local mental health team.

However, Ms Jones said this was cancelled by the victim. Ms Jones added: “If the visit had gone ahead, would anyone have sectioned Dempsey? We just cannot say.”

In a letter addressed to the judge, Recorder of Winchester Keith Cutler, Dempsey said she felt remorse for what happened. “I am very, very sorry about what I did,” she wrote.

“I feel great remorse one a daily basis; I am determined to get myself well.”

Judge Cutler sentenced her to five years in prison for wounding with intent.