A WOMAN who ‘stabbed’ a man in the back of the neck with a broken has been jailed for 15 months.

Michelle Townsend, 49, of no fixed abode, was arrested on October 18 last year after injuring a man near The Salvation Army Homelessness Service in South Street where she was staying at the time.

She pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon. She was found not guilty of wounding with intent after a trial at Reading Crown Court.

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The court heard that she ‘stabbed’ a homeless man in the back of the neck and cut the side of his face with a broken bottle.

However, Townsend explained that the wounds were not intentional and they had been caused accidentally when she wrapped her arms around him.

It was heard in court that that the pair had issues with the man ‘guessing’ she had taken items from his tent where he was rough sleeping in central Reading.

It was heard that Townsend was fearful of the man and reacted after he allegedly verbally abused her.

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She was jailed for 15 months for wounding without intent and four months to run concurrently for possession of an offensive weapon.