A HOMELESS woman who slashed a friend “15 to 17 times” with a bread knife has avoided an immediate prison term.

Alison Kirkby, 41, launched an attack with a large, serrated kitchen knife after the victim refused her request for money.

Ipswich Crown Court heard she had known the victim as a neighbour for about six months, briefly living with him for a short spell.

In November last year, she met the victim in Clacton High Street and he bought her a beer.

They then ventured back to the victim’s home, where he went into the kitchen to put away some shopping.

The court heard she followed him, making a request for money which was refused.

She responded by picking up the knife from a shelf, before launching what the victim described as a “frenzied” attack.

Harry O’Sullivan, prosecuting, said: “He describes being slashed by it in the region of 15 to 17 times, including to his face.

“He describes a frenzied attack, slashing at his face, and a number of injuries inflicted to his hands and wrists as he sought to protect himself from the injuries.

“The incident came to an end when a friend of the complainant arrived at the address. He heard the commotion, kicked his way in and found [the victim] there with a number of injuries.

“The defendant is described as putting down the knife and leaving.”

The victim made no report to the police until the next day, when he realised the severity of his injuries and sought medical attention.

He needed surgery to treat a wound to a tendon in his right wrist, which left him in a cast and using a sling for months.

He was told the wound would take between six and 12 months to heal, leaving him in “considerable pain” and needing help to perform every-day tasks. Kirkby, of no fixed address, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Gareth Hughes, mitigating, called for Kirkby to be spared prison and instead be treated for her drug addiction.

He said: “I say that not in any sense to minimise the offence, but to recognise the fact Miss Kirkby has now been in custody for some nine and a half months.

“That’s the longest period she has had in custody and it’s not been easy for her.”

Mr Hughes said the victim had been holding Kirkby’s benefits money as part of an arrangement to stop her buying drugs.

Judge Patricia Lynch QC suspended a 12 month prison sentence for a year and ordered her to complete a drug rehabilitation programme and a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

She said: “I can be reasonably confident you were acting out of character and this is not normal behaviour as far as you’re concerned.

“Certainly you’re no angel, you’ve got previous convictions for dishonesty and driving matters but as I’ve said looking at everything else I’ve heard about you I can be reasonably confident this is out of character for you.”