Her husband had their dogs put down so she plunged a kitchen knife into him

Claire Bridger, 64, has been jailed for three years after repeatedly stabbing her husband with a kitchen knife following a row about their pet dogs being put down

A woman who repeatedly plunged a kitchen knife into her husband following a row over their pet dogs being put down has been sentenced to three years behind bars.

Claire Bridger, 64, drove to the property where her husband Keith Bridger had been staying since their separation, on The Street in Bramerton, on 17 July last year, according to Norfolk Police.

Mr Bridger recalled that his wife initially appeared “calm and normal”, and she brought up the subject of mediation, enquiring whether he could cover the cost of the forthcoming session. He agreed and turned to walk away.

As he did so, Bridger demanded to know the whereabouts of her dogs. Mr Bridger explained that she had already been notified by the vet, reiterating that the dogs had been put down, police said.

At this point, Norwich Crown Court was told that Bridger’s behaviour dramatically changed, the force said. She became hysterical, swung her car onto the driveway and repeatedly sounded the horn, screaming, “You’ve killed my dogs”, police added.

Mr Bridger positioned himself in front of the car bonnet as Bridger slowly edged the vehicle forward until it made contact with him. He said that he did not believe she was trying to run him over, but the car did touch him, police said.

Bridger flung the door open, and her husband realised she was clutching 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 the pair ended up on the ground, where he realised he was bleeding while she bit him on the right thigh, his thumb, arm and left shoulder. A neighbour stepped in and seized the knife.

Bridger had plunged the knife into her husband’s chest and under his arm, according to police. Bridger, of Rossons Road, Taverham, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

She was cleared 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.”