Lavinia Woodward, a student at Oxford University, stabbed her boyfriend back in 2016 while he was intoxicated. She alleges that she was battling a drug addiction which began during a previously failed relationship.
Now, Woodward is going to be allowed to finish her studies and is having her jail time suspended. Oxford Crown Court Judge Ian Pringle may still see jail time… in 18 months after she’s finished because, as the judge claims, it was a shame to “blight a promising career”.
“I find that you were genuinely remorseful following this event. Whilst you are a clearly highly-intelligent individual, you had an immaturity about you which was not commensurate for someone of your age,” the judge told Woodward Monday.
So ladies… if ya ever get want to get drunk and stab ya man in the leg… just go apply for med school at Oxford… you’ll be alright.
note: Steadfast Loyalty in no way condones actually doing this… so don’t!
As reported by BBC News:
He had described Woodward as “an extraordinary able young lady” and said a custodial sentence would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon.
Handing down a suspended sentence, Judge Pringle said there were “many, many mitigating factors” and the injuries inflicted were “relatively minor”.
He said she had shown a “strong and unwavering determination” to get over her Class A drug and alcohol addiction.
Judge Pringle said Woodward faced a possible maximum sentence of three years in prison for a “category two” offense of unlawful wounding.
The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, said Woodward had voluntarily suspended her studies.
“It is clearly a matter of regret and sadness when any young person blights a promising career by committing a crime.
“The result of deliberation can be penalty of expulsion by the Student Disciplinary Panel, but the length and outcome of this confidential process… cannot be pre-judged.”