A MUM-of-three found guilty of plunging a knife into her boyfriend's neck is battling to clear her name at London's Criminal Appeal Court.
Jayne Halsted, 35, was said by the prosecution at her trial to have stabbed James Webster in November 2004, missing major blood vessels by millimetres.
Halsted, of Warburton Buildings, Haslingden, was jailed for six years and nine months at Preston Crown Court in April 2005 after a jury convicted her of wounding with intent.
However, her legal team are now bidding to persuade top judges the conviction is "unsafe".
Her barrister, Mark Rhind, called Halsted's neighbour, Mark Holmes, of Marsden Street, Accrington, who also testified before the trial jury.
Mr Holmes told the court that Mr Webster had told him before the trial that he was going to try and mess Jayne up, "no matter what it takes."
During the trial the jury heard Halsted and Mr Webster were living together in Marsden Street when he returned home in the early hours of 13 November 2004.
They argued and there was a confrontation on a bridle path near to Woodnock Mill.
Halsted claimed Webster had the knife, that she disarmed him in a struggle and that it was in those circumstances that the knife penetrated his neck.
Mr Rhind told the Appeal Court that Mr Webster was drunk and abusive before the incident.
And in the witness box, Mr Holmes said of Mr Webster: "He came round before the trial and tried to intimidate me, just asking questions about what I was going to say in court."
Mr Holmes said he told a police officer about Mr Webster's visit on the second day of the trial.
But he told Lord Justice Scott Baker, Mr Justice Mitting and Judge Brian Barker QC that the officer said to him: "If you are asked about it in court, then mention it. But, otherwise, don't mention it."
However, Crown lawyers are defending the jury's verdict, insisting that Mr Holmes' fresh evidence is "not credible".
The hearing was adjourned until yesterday (Thurs) when a further witness was due to be called.
