A man who was allegedly knifed in the chest by his partner was trying to cut out a tattoo bearing his former lover's name, the High Court heard on March 2.
Katja Risto Patterson, 45, is accused of inflicting the six-inch knife wound at the couple's home.
However, Patterson's lawyers have set out a new version of events where she only assisted in an attempt to remove the tribute to another woman, Belfast Live writes.
Patterson, of County Down, Northern Ireland, faces a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on November 30, 2021.
The court heard how police found her partner sitting in the property with his shirt unbuttoned, exposing a large chest wound.
At the time he claimed Patterson caused the injuries by slicing and stabbing him with a kitchen knife.
The man was taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, where he received 16 stitches.
During a bail application Crown lawyer Siobhan McCrory said Patterson was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, with a large knife recovered from a bloodstained suitcase in the bedroom.
But it is now contended that the incident involved a bid to cut out a tattoo bearing the name of an ex-partner from the man’s chest.
Patterson and the alleged victim both appeared to be intoxicated when police arrived at the property, according to the prosecution.
Defence barrister Conan Rea argued that the man has provided a detailed account of what happened.
“What he indicates is that he was attempting to cut out the tattoo of a previous partner and, to be completely frank, that the defendant assisted him,” counsel said.
“He also makes it very clear that he does not want the defendant prosecuted.”
Patterson was refused bail, however, due to a previous alleged violation of an order to stay away from her partner.
Madam Justice McBride ruled: “There is a very real risk that there will continue to be breaches, and a risk of re-offending.”
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