An A level student narrowly missed veins and arteries when she stabbed her mother in a row over cash.

Lauren Canning, a 19-year-old ‘A’ level student, plunged the kitchen knife into the arm of terrified Susan Williams at their home in Albert Road, Deal, after demanding cash.

Although it caused a an inch-and-a-half wound, Canning was told that had it severed an artery it could have led to “ a very swift death”.

But after the attack in February this year, Ms Williams pleaded with police: “It’s not her fault... she has a problem!”

Canning, who admitted the unlawful wounding charge, escaped an immediate jail sentence and was allowed to leave with her mother – who had sat in the public gallery throughout the 20-minute hearing.

Prosecutor Irshad Sheikh had told Canterbury Crown Court: "Ms Williams describes the defendant’s behaviour as having anger management problems and money had been demanded by the defendant from her mother and threats were made.”

He said the mother had gone into the bathroom to take a shower – but left the door ajar “to keep an eye on her bedroom”.

“She had done that because money and cigarettes had gone missing and she suspected that her daughter had been taking those items.”

Canning then went into the bedroom and then demanded money after being confronted by her mother.

“She said: ‘I want some money’, but Ms Williams didn’t give her any and the daughter went downstairs and her mother suspected she might be arming herself with a knife, “ he added.

Canning then grabbed a kitchen knife after her mother had taken her purse, cigarettes and mobile phone and returned to the bathroom.

The prosecutor added: “She then saw the daughter outside the bathroom and jumped out of the shower again to shut the door – fearing for her own safety.“

Canning then blocked the door with her foot and stabbed her mother in the arm. The injured Ms Williams then called the police.

Officers later found the Canterbury college student hiding under a duvet refusing to get out of bed until she was removed.

Her barrister Simon Taylor told the court that a psychiatric report revealed that Canning had a pre-existing mental disorder.

He said that since the incident she had been living a “very lonely existence” but had returned to Canterbury College to study four ‘A’ levels.

“It is her wish to return to her mother who I believe would welcome her back, “ he added.

The judge, Recorder Alexander Milne QC said: “What went on was bizarre behaviour... no doubt terrifying for the mother and is horrendously risky because even a stab wound to the arm can some cases lead to very swift death because there are veins and arteries which can easily be struck.

“This young lady would in many, many circumstances be looking at an immediate custody.

"It must have been a frightening and painful experience for the mother and I suspect the mental wounds will stay with her considerably longer.”

He told Canning: “You appreciate just how dreadful that could have been and (the consequences) could have been very much worse.”

But he said the teenager has suffered “ a very sad history” and he suspended the six month jail sentence for two years and placed her under the supervision of the probation service.