A woman struck her partner with a ‘glass dome’ in their south Oxfordshire home.

Sally Smithson’s assault left the victim with a 5cm wound to his head and required hospital treatment. At an earlier point, 58-year-old Smithson was said to have thrown a chair at the same man.

Notwithstanding his injuries, Oxford Crown Court heard the man had withdrawn his support for the prosecution and was in court to witness his partner being sentence. The couple hoped to be reconciled, Recorder Ann Mulligan was told on Monday (February 20).

Mitigating, Gareth James said her client had struggled with alcoholism and poor mental health for some time.

Mr James said of Smithson: “She realises she needs help to address the problems in her life.”

Smithson, of Clare, near Chalgrove, admitted wounding and common assault by beating. She had one previous conviction for drink driving.

Sentencing, Recorder Mulligan said: “That assault that day was extremely serious as I’m sure you well appreciate. It could have been very much worse.”

She suspended the eight months’ imprisonment for two years, meaning Smithson will not have to serve the time behind bars unless she fails to comply with the probation service or commits further offences.

As part of the sentence, she was ordered to complete a nine month alcohol treatment requirement, six month mental health treatment programme and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions under the direction of the probation service.