Ronald Fretwell hatched a plan to tell police another man was responsible for stabbing Irene Wilding.

To add substance to the claim, Fretwell injured himself.

Fretwell, 66, of Braithwaite Street, Blackpool, admitted unlawful wounding when he appeared before Preston Crown Court.

Duncan Birrell, prosecuting, told the court Fretwell and Ms Wilding had known each other since 1981 and had both had been drinking when the stabbing happened on December 20.

He said: "There came a point when the defendant took hold of a black handled kitchen knife.

"Ms Wilding thought he was going to make something to eat. He jabbed her twice to her right breast area."

Fretwell called for an ambulance because they could not stop the bleeding.

Cider

Mr Birrell told the court it was then decided to tell police a man had come into the flat. Fretwell had significant injury when the ambulance came.

He added: "The injury was inflicted on himself to prevent suspicion being cast upon himself."

David Traynor, defending, said: "He did not intend to cause the injury and he cannot give any reason why or how it happened. The injury suffered was minor."

At the time, Fretwell was drinking 1.5 litres of cider a day.

He had now reduced that to a couple of cans of beer

He was sentenced to 32 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and he will be under supervision for two years.