Mother, 38, who smashed a new TV and ‘stabbed her boyfriend following a four-day white wine binge’ is told to ‘grow up and be a good mum’ by a judge – as she walks free from court after her partner refused to back the prosecution

• Leanne Leadbetter smashed a new TV and stabbed her boyfriend in rampage 
• She was sentenced to an 18-month community order and alcohol treatment 
• Read more: Hairdresser attacked police officers in naked rampage at Airbnb 

A mother who was accused of stabbing her boyfriend during a white-wine fuelled rampage has avoided jail.  

Leanne Leadbetter, 38, embarked on a drunken rampage in which she smashed up her partner Christopher Boscoe’s brand new TV set and hurled pots, pans and crockery.

As Leadbetter was going berserk around the Cheshire property, Mr Boscoe, 44, dialled 999 and told the operator she had been trashing his house before adding as an afterthought: ‘I forgot to mention, she also stabbed me.’

But two charges of grievous bodily harm and assault from an earlier incident were dropped after Mr Boscoe declined to give a statement.  

At Chester Crown Court, Leadbetter admitted criminal damage and was sentenced to an 18-month community order with requirements that she attends 35 days of rehabilitation with the probation service and participates with a six-month alcohol treatment program.

Leanne Leadbetter, 38, smashed her then partner’s brand-new TV in the wine-fuelled rampage and admitted criminal damage at Chester Crown Court

Christopher Boscoe, 44, called police and told them Leadbetter had ‘stabbed him’ but later refused to give a statement 

Leadbetter was also issued with a 12-month restraining order forbidding her from approaching Mr Boscoe’s street in Runcorn. 

She is now battling to get her children back after losing them to the care system due to her binge drinking.

Leadbetter had 22 previous offences on her record including disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and assault. 

The investigation began after the victim dialled 999 following a row at his property on September 11 last year.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, told the court: ‘He said the defendant had gone nuts and had damaged his property. Almost as an afterthought he also said, “I forgot to mention that I have been stabbed,” and it is that complaint that led to police to the address.

‘When they arrived, the defendant was sitting on the doorstep at Mr Boscoe’s address. Neighbours spoke to the police due to the disturbance. 

Leadbetter had 22 previous offences on her record including disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and assault

Mr Boscoe did not support the prosecution and did not make a statement or provide details about the cost of the broken items 

‘The officer went into the premises and could see a brand-new TV, that had only just come out of the box and had not even been mounted, had been broken and was lying on the floor in the living room.

‘There were a number of items in the kitchen which Mr Boscoe described the defendant had swiped off the worktop with her arm onto the floor.

‘He has not provided any details of the cost of the TV or the kitchen items but having taken an account from him the defendant was placed under arrest and taken into custody to be interviewed.

‘There was an earlier acceptance of criminal damage. Evidence as well, is that at 1pm in the afternoon both parties had been drinking and there was an indication from the defendant that the drinking had been going on for some time.

‘Mr Boscoe did not support the prosecution and did not make a statement. There is insufficient evidence to pursue even a hearsay application.

‘The neighbours reported disturbances through loud music being played at Mr Boscoe’s address which has caused some disturbance for them. It appears that the relationship with Mr Boscoe is now at an end.’

Sentencing Judge Patrick Thompson said: ‘Her worst enemy has probably been alcohol. Alcohol affects people in different ways but excessive alcohol has affected this defendant in a particularly bad way and has led to this situation.

Leadbetter was told that she needed to learn to live without alcohol for the sake of her children, who are currently in the care system 

‘People have got to come to a realisation about what is good and bad for you. There is no bigger loss than losing your children. If she has the opportunity to have her children back to her it seems to me to be far more attractive than a bottle of wine.’

He told Leadbetter: ‘You are more than capable of being a useful member of society and engaging well. You can see the root of your problems when you are sober. 

‘Whether you can see when you’ve had alcohol I do not know but it looks like it has had a very negative effect on you.

‘You have to learn to live without it. You have lost three children into the system and all because of alcohol. You have got to understand that it effects your temper in a very negative way. It is time to grow up. 

‘You are 38 and I know from reports you want your children back. You have got a relationship with them. You have got to sort yourself out so that you are a good mum.

‘You have been given an opportunity by this court. You need to change your life and there won’t be many more opportunities. Get on with your life.’

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