A woman has been jailed for three years after repeatedly stabbing her husband with a kitchen knife following an argument over their pet dogs being put down.
Claire Bridger, 64, arrived in her car at the property her estranged husband, Keith Bridger, was staying at The Street in Bramerton on July 17 last year, Norfolk Police said.
Mr Bridger stated his wife initially sounded "calm and normal", raising the issue of mediation and asking if he could pay for an upcoming session. He agreed and turned to walk away.
As he did, Bridger demanded to know where her dogs were.
Mr Bridger explained she had already been informed by the vet and reiterated the dogs had been put down, police added.
At this point, Norwich Crown Court was told that Bridger’s demeanour changed, the force said.
She became hysterical, swung her car on to the driveway, and sounded the horn repeatedly, shouting, “You’ve killed my dogs”, police added.
Mr Bridger stood in front of the car bonnet as Bridger then drove the car forward slowly until it made contact with him.
He clarified in his statement that he did not believe she was trying to run him over, but the car did touch him, police said.
Bridger threw the door open, and her husband became aware she had a knife in her right hand, according to the force.
He said that in one movement she came at him and the knife went into him.
Mr Bridger said he told her “Claire, you’ve stabbed me,” and she replied, “Yeah, I’m XXXXXXX going to do it again you absolute XXXXXXX, how dare you kill my dog.”
Mr Bridger told the court they ended up on the ground, he was aware that he was bleeding and that she was biting him on the right thigh, his thumb, arm and left shoulder.
A neighbour intervened and grabbed the knife.
Bridger had stabbed her husband in his chest and under his arm, police said.
Bridger, of Rossons Road, Taverham, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday after previously admitting to wounding with intent.
She was found not guilty of the attempted murder of her husband and possession of a blade in a public place at an earlier hearing.
Detective Constable Cameron Brown said: “Mr Bridger suffered extremely serious injuries after being repeatedly stabbed.
“This was an incredibly traumatic ordeal for him, and despite everything he has faced Mr Bridger has shown extraordinary strength and courage throughout his recovery.”
