A COURT has lifted a restraining order banning a woman from contacting the partner she stabbed.

At Bolton Crown Court Kellie Mather admitted breaching the court order by going to Martin Wright's home on Knutshaw Crescent, Hunger Hill, between September 27 and 30.

Recorder Simon Killeen was told that the order had been made after 42-year-old Mather had been convicted of stabbing her long term partner in the arm in January last year. They had both been drinking and she was given a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew Evans, prosecuting, said Mather had a history of alcohol addiction and police had been called to their home several times.

But despite the conviction and restraining order the couple were reconciled.

Police were called again on September 27 by Mr Wright after Mather took his car without permission and he feared she had been drinking.

Officers found her that evening at her mother's house where she claimed she had only started drinking after parking up the car.

Mr Wright gave evidence to Recorder Killeen that Mather was now making good progress in tackling her alcoholism and he now wanted the restraining order lifted.

Mather, of The Pewfist, Westhoughton, admitted breaching the order but Recorder Killeen told her it was not in society's best interests to activate the suspended jail sentence and he felt "compelled" to accede to Mr Wright's request to remove the restraining order.

Instead he imposed a community order on Mather, ordering her to have alcohol treatment for three months. She must also pay £240 in costs and charges.