A HOUSEWIFE has avoided jail after she bit off part of her husband’s thumb in a row fuelled by drink and drugs.

Dawn Allum, 49, of Penfold Road, Clacton, was given a suspended sentence after admittting causing grievous bodily harm to husband Malcolm, on November 29, 2008.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard yesterday the couple had been together for three years and married for one year when Allum rowed with her 57-year-old husband about what he was watching on TV and the fact he had not poured her a drink.

Nicola May, prosecuting, said Allum hit her husband in the face three times and threw two glasses at him.

She then followed him around the house throwing hitting him with a walking stick.

Ms May said: “She told him she had taken speed and when she had taken speed she would do anything.”

When Mr Allum tried to restrain his wife she said “the only way you’ll stop me is to kill me” before biting off 1cm from the tip of his thumb.

When Mr Allum asked what she had done with his thumb tip she said she had swallowed it.

The court heard Allum told police she had bitten off her husband’s thumb in self defence and flushed it down the toilet.

Kevin Toomey, mitigating, said Mr Allum supported his wife and wanted them both to receive counselling.

Judge Christopher Ball QC sentenced Allum to 12 months in jail suspended for two years.