A WOMAN broke down in tears as she relived the moments she stabbed her lover.

Julie Harris, 34, became distressed as she gave details to Bradford Crown Court of her 16-year relationship with Graham Carter, who died last December after she stabbed him during a violent row at their home in Smith House Close, Brighouse.

Mr Carter, 46, suffered a stab wound in his back during the incident.

He returned home after two days in hospital, but was readmitted three weeks later.

While in hospital he suffered a fatal heart attack, which resulted from an infection caused by the stab wound.

Harris, who has no previous convictions, has denied the murder charge.

She told a jury she never intended to hurt her partner.

She gave details of how Mr Carter's heavy drinking had led to previous incidents, when he had threatened her with knives and made various allegations and threats.

"I loved him and we got on really well for so long," she said. "As the years went on he drank more and more."

Harris described him as two different people when he was sober and drunk. She was scared of him when he had drunk too much. "I did love him, but I wasn't in love with him," she added.

"I didn't want anybody to hurt him and I definitely didn't want to hurt him at all. He was really my soulmate."

Harris described how the couple had separated during 2003, but she allowed Mr Carter to come back to the family home because she thought he had changed.

She says she stabbed him during a scuffle in order to get him off her. Today she was expected to give more evidence about events that night.

The trial continues.