WOMAN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS AFTER STABBING HER HUSBAND
A woman received a three-year prison sentence after repeatedly stabbing her husband with a knife.Claire Bridger, aged 64 and residing on Rossons Road in Taverham, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on 7 May 2026.
She had previously pleaded guilty to causing injury with intent.
She was acquitted of charges of attempted murder and possessing a bladed weapon in a public place during an earlier hearing.
On the evening of 17 July last year, at approximately 9:18 pm, Bridger attacked her husband, Keith Bridger, by stabbing him in the chest and beneath his arm with a kitchen knife during a dispute over their pet dogs being euthanized.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, and paramedics from the Air Ambulance team reported that Mr.
Bridger's injuries were potentially fatal.
Bridger was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
The court was informed that Bridger had traveled to the property where her husband was staying after their separation, following her arrival in her car on The Street, Bramerton.
Keith Bridger described her initial attitude as calm and normal.
She had brought up the subject of mediation, inquiring if her husband could cover the costs of the upcoming session, to which he agreed and began to walk away.
During this, she demanded knowledge of the whereabouts of their dogs.
Mr.
Bridger explained that the vet had already informed her they had been euthanized, reiterating this point.
At this moment, witnesses noted a significant change in her behaviour.
She allegedly became hysterical, drove her car onto the driveway, repeatedly honked the horn, and shouted, 'You’ve killed my dogs.' Mr.
Bridger stood in front of the vehicle as Bridger drove slowly forward, making contact with him.
He confirmed in court that he did not believe she intended to run him over, but the car had made contact.
It was also reported that she opened the car door suddenly, with her husband noticing she was holding a knife in her right hand.
According to his account, she suddenly lunged at him, stabbing him.
He shouted, 'Claire, you’ve stabbed me!', while she responded angrily, 'Yeah, I’m XXXXXXX going to do it again you absolute XXXXXXX how dare you kill my dog.' The altercation moved to the ground, during which Mr.
Bridger realized he was bleeding and saw her biting him on his thigh, thumb, arm, and shoulder.
It was at this point that a neighbour intervened and confiscated the knife.
