A woman found guilty in a vicious domestic violence case has gotten what she wanted.
Kathryn Saunders, 47, was given a sentence in provincial court in St. John's Wednesday that will allow her to stay in the province.
Saunders was drunk on Easter Sunday of this year, and showed up at at her former partner's home in Conception Bay South.
Under a court order to stay away from the place, Saunders was also ordered to stay away from the victim, with whom she had a tempestuous relationship.
They fought, and Saunders stabbed him in the stomach.
The wound had to be stapled shut, and a large incision had to be made to repair his abdominal area. He also sustained burns because Saunders threw boiling water at him.
It wasn't the first time the two had fought — police had been called to the home 26 times in a 15-month period.
Spiraling out of control from alcohol
Saunders had been a wellness coordinator at Memorial University, where she worked for 15 years. Among other things, she taught students about the hazards of drinking.
However in 2007, alcohol became her eventual downfall, and Saunders left the university.
In sentencing, Judge James Walsh said he took into account that Saunders was provoked this time, adding her partner had pushed her several times, and that she fell and struck her head on a stove.
But Walsh said her reaction was disproportionate, and the stabbing went too far to be self-defence.
Saunders has been in custody since March, and has gotten counselling for her drinking and other therapy. She has also established a support system, and has a renewed relationship with her father, sister and an old friend.
When her sentence is completed, Saunders will likely have a place to stay that assists female offenders.
For those reasons, she wanted to stay in the province.
The Crown wanted Saunders to receive a federal sentence, however Walsh sided with the defence, and gave her a sentence of just under two years to keep her in the province. She will also be on probation for three years once she gets out of prison.
