A woman who was on the run for more than two years, after chopping the wife of her babyfather was held recently, and after pleading guilty in court was given a suspended sentence.

Vanisha Thompson, 26, of Coleyville, Manchester, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding when she appeared in the Ulster Spring Resident Magistrate's Court, Trelawny, on December 9. A social enquiry report was ordered and Thompson was in custody until she was sentenced last week. Resident Magistrate Sheron Barnes sentenced her to 12 months' imprisonment but suspended the sentence for one year with supervision. If Thompson is convicted of any offence within the next 12 months she will have to serve the 12-month prison sentence.

The incident took place on March 9, 2007 in Mendez Town, Trelawny, when Thompson went to the home of her lover and baby's father. She chopped her lover's wife several times to her head and hands. The injured woman spent eight days in hospital and underwent surgery to her hand. Thompson left the area immediately after the incident and went to live in Old Harbour, St Catherine. It was not until December 2010 when she returned to Manchester for a funeral that she was held by the police.

Thompson, a hairdresser, has a four-year-old son for the man at the centre of the controversy. The court was told that there were frequent confrontations between the women, including one in which the wife boxed Thompson.

The man was present in court with his wife when his lover was sentenced.