A woman who knifed a man in the head as he had sex with a love rival at a party has avoided jail.

Alisha Oakley thrusted the blade into Reece Tyler from behind, missing his brain by "two centimetres" moments after he rejected her advances at the Dover flat.

A judge on Wednesday ruled the 23-year-old was suffering from a psychotic episode at the time of her actions.

Now, Oakley’s victim has branded the sentence “too lenient” after the ordeal left him traumatised around women.

Oakley, who lived in the town, was handed a suspended prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to wounding with intent.

Mr Tyler said he “could have died” merely for rejecting Oakley’s attempt to kiss him on the evening of the attack in October 2018.

“All that happened is I rejected her and (I worry) if I reject another girl I could be stabbed.

“I’m lucky to be alive, the assault could have left me with brain damage or, at worst, I could have died.

“I walk past girls in the street and I’m worried about what they would do - I have lost my faith in people,” he told the court in a statement.

“This assault has affected me as I can’t trust another girl again.”

Mr Tyler said he suffered dizziness which affects his work and prevents him from playing with his daughter.

The court heard Mr Tyler, Oakley and mutual friends had been enjoying the party with vodka present, when Oakley tried to kiss him.

But when Mr Tyler spurned Oakley’s advances and slept with another female in a nearby room, she rushed in and delivered the blow.

He was treated at the QEQM hospital with surgical glue for a wound to his scalp.

The court heard psychiatric evidence that Oakley, who also has links to Margate, has since been diagnosed with emotional instability disorder.

She was suffering a psychotic episode at the time of the attack, Dr Appleyard told the court.

Oakley was 19 at the time of the stabbing, has not reoffended and is being treated with antipsychotic medicine, her barrister Anna Chestnut said.

Probation reports deemed her “low risk” of reoffending but a “medium risk” to future partners, the lawyer added.

“It would be a highly exceptional case to depart from your sentencing guidelines but I do urge Your Honour to do that,” she continued.

She highlighted court delays, Oakley's lack of a previous criminal record, mental health issues, and a supportive family network as mitigating features.

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The judge, Recorder Stuart Trimmer QC said he “paid a great deal of attention to (Oakley’s) condition,” which was “linked to the commission of the offence.”

“I’m prepared in the very unusual circumstances in this case, as the starting point of one which permits me to suspend the sentence - which is what I’m going to do.”

“Thank you, Your Honour,” Oakley replied.

Supported by family in the public gallery, Oakley, who now lives in Darwen near Blackburn, was given 24 months suspended for 18 months.

Oakley will not compensate her victim as she has “no means” however, she must pay the £140 victim surcharge and was ordered to complete six months of drug rehabilitation requirements.

Speaking after the hearing Mr Tyler, who was not present in court, said: “Doctors told me the wound was just two centimetres from my brain. I’m lucky to be here, it is a crazy thing that happened to me.

“In this case, the punishment doesn’t feel firm enough - it doesn’t feel like justice has been served.

“The trauma has caused me a lot of anxiety around women, it has affected my relationship with my daughter because I can’t play with her like I used to and it has affected my work.

“I believe the courts have been too lenient.”