A woman wished her ex-boyfriend a happy birthday just hours before unleashing a violent knife attack on him outside his parents’ home.

Kelly Duncan was said to have "led the charge" as she and three men carried out their assault on her former partner, Steve Woods, in Whitstable.

The 55-year-old repeatedly slashed at him with what was described as a bread or carving knife - with one "very clear" blow aimed at his chest - and also threatened his elderly mother.

She was eventually disarmed, only for Mr Woods to be chased and struck with a metal pole by one of her accomplices.

Mercifully, the injuries to his arms from the knife were described as "minor" during Duncan's sentencing hearing on Friday, April 5.

But Canterbury Crown Court was told Mr Woods, who she had known for 30 years, also lost his sight in one eye for six weeks, seemingly as a result of a blow from the pole.

In an impact statement to police he described how he was "massively affected" and struggling to come to terms with the ordeal.

"I was a wreck for two years and have only started recovering," he said.

"My life has been turned upside down, but worse is that this has also affected my family.

"My feelings for Kelly have always been strong. I don't understand why she would do this and bring three men to my parents' house.

My life has been turned upside down, but worse is that this has also affected my family…

"The incident has left me with more questions than answers. I struggle to even find words to describe what this has done to me."

Duncan, of Olympia Way, Whitstable, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a bladed article.

But despite a judge accepting she had behaved "wholly out of character" in the early hours of March 6 2021, she was told only immediate imprisonment could mark the seriousness of her actions.

She and Mr Woods were said to have been friends for "three decades" and in a relationship for six years from 2015.

After splitting in January 2021 they remained friendly and she would visit him at the home he shared with his parents during the pandemic and where his mum was shielding due to poor health.

Prosecutor Piers Walter said Duncan phoned Mr Woods on his birthday - March 5, 2021 - singing Happy Birthday and saying she would be dropping off a card and present, before later revealing she could not visit as she had been drinking.

When Mr Woods phoned to offer her a lift, her response was to "greet him with insults", accuse him of stalking her and tell him to "leave her alone", the court heard.

A male voice could also be heard threatening to beat Mr Woods up.

A short while later, at 12.30am on March 6, Mr Woods and his parents were woken by the sound of wheelie bins propped against their garden gate being knocked over.

"He looked out and saw three males outside, one with a long metal pole and one with a knife, so he went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and went outside," said Mr Walter.

"Kelly Duncan then came from behind and began slashing at him with a knife, striking his left arm.

"She made multiple attempts to slash him, threatened to stab him and kill him and also made threats against his mother.

"He kicked her and restrained her by wrestling her to the floor and disarming her.

"One of the males then chased him and made multiple attempts at hitting him with the metal pole."

Neighbours filmed the incident, which lasted six minutes, and the footage was played in court.

Although brandishing a knife himself, Mr Woods "posed no threat" to Duncan and could be repeatedly heard saying he did not want to hurt her, added the prosecutor.

The incident has left me with more questions than answers. I struggle to even find words to describe what this has done to me….

She however could be heard shouting threats and abuse. At one point after Mr Woods had yelled "You said you loved me" - referring to an earlier rendezvous - Duncan, whose accomplices included a man believed to be her new boyfriend at the time, retorted: "I never said I loved you.”

She could also be heard saying "It's done, you c***" and warned "You're dead" before a man threatened he would "bring so much agg" to his door.

Duncan was arrested but it was not until January 2022 that she appeared before magistrates. She then pleaded guilty at the crown court in February last year.

Mr Woods told police that he had been left feeling unsafe even at home and his parents were "on edge".

His mother also described her fear and shock, adding how she could not "unsee" what happened that night.

Duncan, whose daughter sat in court in support, has eight previous convictions for 15 offences, although none were related to violence or weapons.

Jodie-Jane Hitchcock, defending, said that since the assault Duncan had sought to address her problems with alcohol, drugs and "toxic relationships".

Urging the court to spare her client jail, the barrister added: "What took place on that night was out of character. It was uncalled for. No one regrets that more than Ms Duncan.

What happened was not what she set out to achieve and when she saw her behaviour on that footage she was shocked, embarrassed and appalled...

"What happened was not what she set out to achieve and when she saw her behaviour on that footage she was shocked, embarrassed and appalled.

"The injuries were mercifully minor and, of course, could have been more serious.

"But to her credit she has taken those emotions of being appalled and disgusted and tried the best she can over three years and to turn that into a positive."

Judge Simon Taylor KC, however, said that notwithstanding her regret, remorse and self-rehabilitation, the impact on Mr Woods and the "depletion of his parents' sanctity" in their home could not be ignored.

Imposing a prison sentence of 25 months, he told Duncan: "You had a highly dangerous weapon, you used it a number of times and played a leading role.

"It may not have been your idea but you were leading the charge during the assault.

"I accept this was wholly out of character, people speak highly of you, your life has moved forward significantly, you have made efforts to rehabilitate yourself, are now at low risk of reoffending, and custody would be your first time and acutely felt by your mother and daughter.

"But one thing that can't be overlooked is the impact on the victim. I know you are sorry but it has had an enduring effect on him and his family.

"I'm afraid I cannot spare you an immediate custodial sentence. The offence is just too serious, no matter how out of character and how sorry you are."