A wife who stabbed her husband during a drunken argument has been allowed back to her home in Newton Abbot after a judge was told he wanted her back.

Pauline Tickell, aged 72, pleaded guilty to wounding her husband George in an incident at their home in Hillmans Road last July.

Her husband sat in the public gallery at Exeter Crown Court, where a Judge was told he longer supports the prosecution and wants her to be allowed home.

Tickell admitted wounding and was her case was adjourned by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, who ordered a probation pre-sentence report.

She had previously been prevented by bail conditions from returning home or having contact with her husband.

The Judge waived the conditions after defence barrister Peter Coombe told him Mr Tickell wanted her to return.

Judge Gilbert told her: ’I am releasing you on bail without conditions so you can return home. I warn you that if there is there is any trouble it may lead to a different result in this case.’

Mr Coombe said Tickell has taken steps to address her problem with alcohol. He said her husband wanted her home.