A woman who stabbed her partner when he tried to prevent her stopping traffic in Watford was today (July 25) told she would be detained in a psychiatric unit.
Karina Bitjukova, now 30, had not taken her anti-psychotic medication, when she caused the victim a life-threatening injury by wounding him in the chest with a silver kitchen knife.
Prosecutor Stefan Weidmann told St Albans crown court that on September 3, 2020 (correct) Bitjukova, who was then aged 28, had smoked crack and told her partner she wanted some air.
Once in the street she stopped traffic and told members of the public she was being chased.
Bitjukova went home, but went out again. The police were called and she was found by two PCSOs, who escorted her home.
Later she went out onto Tolpits Lane, where she ran out in front of vehicles.
Mr Weidmann said she shouted: “Help. He is trying to kill me. Let me in.”
At one point she climbed in through the passenger window of a grey Ford car, landing on top of the occupant. She was removed and they drove off.
Ms Bitjukova stood in front of a white Iveco lorry and held onto the bonnet. Her partner was unhooking her fingers one by one when she turned round and stabbed him.
The police arrived and she was arrested just before midnight. She was kneeling and repeatedly said: “I am sorry.”
Mr Weidmann said when she was arrested and handcuffed she began shouting, screaming and trying to escape. She was taken to Watford General Hospital where she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The victim was also taken to Watford General and transferred to St Mary’s in London, where he was treated for a 5cm stab wound that damaged his left lung. He was discharged 6 days later. The injuries were potentially life-threatening, said the prosecutor.
Ms Bitjukova appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to wounding. She was of previous good character.
Defending, Sally Hobson said she has been detained at Brockfield House psychiatric unit in Wickford, Essex, where she had been seen by A psychiatrist.
Judge Lana Wood said Bitjukova had behaved in an “extremely erratic manner over several hours.”
She said the victim was trying to take a protective role when she stabbed him.
The judge said that at the time the defendant did not have “cognitive capacity” to understand that her actions were legally wrong.
Ms Bitjukova was detained under the Mental Health Act with a Restriction Order to protect the public and for treatment of her mental health problems.
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