An Oxford University medical student who stabbed her boyfriend received a 10-month jail sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. Lavinia Woodward, 24, punched and stabbed her boyfriend after consuming both drugs and alcohol and later broke conditions of her bail by contacting the victim.

Citing “many mitigating features” in Woodward’s case, Judge Ian Pringle handed down a 10-month suspension, the Telegraph reported Tuesday. While commending her dedication to overcoming addiction, the judge in May called Woodward an “extraordinarily able young lady” and reportedly called a prison sentence “too severe” a punishment for the aspiring heart surgeon.

Woodward in May pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding in the assault of Thomas Fairclough, a student at the University of Cambridge who she’d met on the dating app Tinder. The attack reportedly occurred at Oxford University’s Christ Church College after Woodward had been drinking heavily, BBC reported Monday.

Woodward reportedly became agitated when she learned that Fairclough had contacted her mother over Skype. It was at that time that she threw a laptop at him and later stabbed him in the lower leg with a butter knife, also injuring two of his fingers. Before he was able to restrain her, Woodward also attempted to stab herself.

BBC reported that Woodward had become addicted to drugs and alcohol at the time the attack occurred. Her addiction allegedly stemmed from a previous abusive relationship with another man.

Among the reasons cited by Judge Pringle as justification for a lenient sentence was an “unstable” personality disorder in addition to a “severe” eating disorder.

“You had an immaturity about you which was not commensurate for someone of your age,” he said. “Reports from the experts make clear you suffer from an emotionally unstable personality disorder, a severe eating disorder and alcohol drug dependence.”

Judge Pringle acknowledged that Woodward broke her bail conditions but dismissed the contact because it had been made in an apparent attempt to express “guilt” over the incident.

“Although it was against your bail conditions, you contacted your partner to fully confess your guilt and your deep sorrow for what happened,” he said. “There are many, many mitigating features in your case. You have no previous convictions of any nature whatsoever. I find that you were genuinely remorseful following this event.”

He also commended Woodward for being overcoming her addiction through treatment and counseling, adding that she “demonstrated to me a strong, unwavering determination to do so despite enormous pressure under which you were put.”

The Dean of Christ Church, Professor Martyn Percy, said that the Oxford student had voluntarily suspended her medical schooling, according to BBC.

“The question of her future will now be decided by the University, which has procedures in place when a student is the subject of a criminal conviction,” he said. “The result of deliberation can be penalty of expulsion by the Student Disciplinary Panel, but the length and outcome of this confidential process... cannot be pre-judged.”

Woodward reportedly was observed mouthing the words “thank you” to the judge Monday as she exited the courtroom.

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