NICKY Taylor stabbed his partner in the stomach with the tip of a pen during a row over a shopping trip. Haley Broom had asked Taylor to take her shopping – and he refused and became angry, and complained there was no food in the house. He picked up a pe

NICKY Taylor stabbed his partner in the stomach with the tip of a pen during a row over a shopping trip.

Haley Broom had asked Taylor to take her shopping - and he refused and became angry, and complained there was no food in the house.

"He picked up a pen and thrust it at her stomach, poking her very hard in the stomach with the pen, causing it to snap with the force," prosecutor Matthew Bradbury told Ely magistrates on Thursday.

"She suffered a stinging pain," he said.

Afterwards, Ms Broom went upstairs to collect her belongings, and there was as scuffle between them.

The couple had been together for 12 years at the time of the incident on September 29, said Mr Bradbury. Eight years ago, Taylor was involved in a motorcycle accident, and the resulting brain damage had left him volatile, the court heard.

When he spoke to the police, 26-year-old Taylor, of Norfolk Road, Ely, admitted stabbing his partner, but could not remember what they had argued about.

Taylor had been devastated by the death of his mother during the summer, said Michael Judkins, in mitigation. He was sorry for his behaviour, and hoped to increase his therapy in the new year..

Taylor was given an 18-month conditional discharge and must pay £50 costs.