Oxford student who stabbed boyfriend could avoid jail 'because of her extraordinary talent'
‘This was a one-off, a complete one-off, to prevent this extraordinary, able young lady from not following her long-held desire to enter the profession she wishes to, would be a sentence which would be too severe’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Oxford University student who stabbed her boyfriend could be spared a custodial sentence because of her “extraordinary” talent, a court heard.
Aspiring heart surgeon Lavinia Woodward stabbed her Cambridge-educated boyfriend, who she met on the Tinder dating app, in the leg before hurling a laptop, glass and a jam jar at him during a drug-fuelled rage at Christ Church college, Oxford.
The 24-year-old admitted to a charge of unlawful wounding at Oxford Crown Court.
The offence would normally carry a custodial sentence, but Judge Ian Pringle suggested she may be spared jail because of her academic record.
He said: “It seems to me that if this was a one-off, a complete one-off, to prevent this extraordinary, able young lady from not following her long-held desire to enter the profession she wishes to, would be a sentence which would be too severe.
“What you did will never, I know, leave you but it was pretty awful, and normally it would attract a custodial sentence, whether it is immediate or suspended.”
Christ Church College will also allow her to return to her studies in October because she is “that bright”, having had articles published in medical journals, the court heard.
Prosecutor Cathy Olliver said Woodward’s behaviour at the time of the 30 September attack had “deteriorated”.
The court heard how her boyfriend, who has not been identified, called Woodward's mum on Skype, and his then-girlfriend punched him in the face before picking up a bread knife and stabbing him in the leg.
Defending QC James Sturman said Woodward was a drug addict and her dreams of becoming a surgeon were “almost impossible” as her conviction would have to be disclosed.
He also told how Woodward had had a “very troubled life” and had been abused by an ex-boyfriend.
Woodward will be sentenced on 25 September. She was also issued with a restraining order and told to remain drug-free.
In January, she posted a photo to Instagram, with the caption: “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, she began to fly.#rehab #lifeworks #thepriory. Time for a new beginning.”
A spokesperson for Christ Church said: “I’m afraid that Christ Church does not comment on the circumstances of individual students.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.