A 'toxic' relationship came to an end when a mum came at the father of her seven children with a craft knife, before biting him.
Emma Barnett, 30, and Christopher Holland had been in a 10-year relationship and there was a history of domestic violence between the pair, according to prosecution barrister Verity Quaite.
Ms Quaite told Bolton Crown Court that at various stages of their relationship, they had 'both been identified as the perpetrator and victim' of abuse.
The pair also have seven children together but have all now been adopted.
A week before Christmas last year, Holland was on bail after assaulting Barnett - a crime he has since been convicted and sentenced for.
He turned up at her home in The Welland, Westhoughton, despite being forbidden from doing so under bail conditions, Ms Quaite said.
Police arrived and Holland showed them a letter from his solicitor, which he claimed stated that his bail conditions had been cancelled. Officers accepted that the letter was confusing.
Ms Quaite said that the situation had been 'very calm' but then 'out of nowhere' Barnett came into the living room holding a craft knife in an outstretched arm.
Police managed to wrestle the knife from her grip but Barnett bit Holland and injured him.
Barnett, who had one previous conviction for assaulting a police officer, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Defending, Nicholas Ross told the court that Barnett grew up in a violent household and that abuse within relationships was a "learned behaviour".
He added: "It is suggested within the pre-sentence report that in many respects, she's been more of a victim than a perpetrator. She accepts there have been occasions where she hasn't acted very well during the relationship.
"She accepts she acted impulsively.
"Holland was round when he shouldn't have been. She accepts she was a party to that and she acquiesced to his presence at her address - a decision which she has described as stupid.
"She felt it was the last opportunity to seek out some retaliation, retribution, or justice. At the time, she felt almost justified but she understands now that what she did was wholly inexcusable and totally inappropriate.
"She's remorseful, she said what she did was stupid, she's embarrassed about what she did."
Mr Ross also said that Barnett has not spoken to Holland since the incident and is now in a new relationship. He also indicated that Holland believes she is "in need of help rather than punishment."
Judge Graeme Smith sentenced Barnett to a 12-month community order.
He said: "On the face of it, this offence is a particularly stupid one; attempting to attack someone with a knife in full view of police officers is not something which any rationally-thinking person would do.
"When I look at your background, it is clear that you have had a number of difficulties in your upbringing and relationship with Mr Holland.
"The best thing that can be said is that you both now seem to realise that it is a toxic relationship that is not doing either of you any good.
"It's perhaps an unhappy conclusion to the relationship that both of you have ended up with convictions for violence against the other."
Barnett is subject to a two-month electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 7am and must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
