A woman who served prison time for a stabbing has been caught walking across Swindon with a knife, seven years on.

Tanya Porter, of Bodmin Close in Park North, was jailed in 2016 after she launched a violent knife attack which caused one of her victims to suffer a heart attack.

The now 42-year-old faced 20 months in prison and was released in 2018.

But on May 23, 2023, officers were alerted to a woman, namely Porter, walking in Eldene with a knife showing from the waistband of her trousers.

The kitchen knife, which was around five inches long, could be seen by officers from six meters away.

"Porter told the officer that the knife was to cut off the bandages on her foot," prosecutor Keith Ballinger told Swindon Magistrates' Court on April 29.

"However, the officer noted at the time that the defendant was able to show her injuries without cutting the bandages.

"She said she had picked up the knife but thought she wouldn't put it in a bag so she stored it in her trousers."

Swindon Advertiser: The defendant claimed the five-inch knife was to change her bandages.The defendant claimed the five-inch knife was to change her bandages. (Image: Newsquest archive)

Defence lawyer Mr Jameson pointed out that Porter has a number of health issues including ulcers on her leg/foot which she changes the bandages for one to three times a day.

“She sometimes can’t undo them herself because it is too painful, which is why she says she had taken the knife when she went to stay with a friend," he said.

But chair of the magistrates' bench Rachel Gowshall thought this was an inadequate excuse, stating: "Her friend would have had a knife or scissors in their home, surely.

"Ms Porter, we don't think you had a just reason to have a knife on your person.

"There's no indication that you pulled the knife out with the intention to use it, but you have full knowledge of the consequences of carrying a knife from your previous convictions."

Taking into consideration her guilty plea and chance at rehabilitation, the bench sentenced Porter to a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, as well as 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She has also been ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £154 surcharge.