A MAN who stabbed his girlfriend in ‘a sex game gone wrong’ has walked free from court.

Daniel Butchers, of Cricklade Road, and his partner had used the knife as part of their ‘role play’ in the past, a judge was told.

But the 21-year-old went too far on midsummer’s day and instead of waving it about used it to cut her leg.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that the couple had been in a relationship ‘for a little while’.

“It is clear from her statement and acknowledged by him that some aspects of their sex life would be described by many as unusual,” he said.

“A knife had been waved about in role play but never in fact used. There had been some discussion about the knife but equally they had set firm parameters.

“During the day in question during intercourse she describes him drawing the knife down her body and then into her leg. She was extremely distressed and screaming and not in a little pain.”

The matter was reported to the police and when he was questioned he told them about their sex life.

Mr Meeke said: “He completely misunderstood and misinterpreted the parameters of what he was or was not permitted to do.”

Butchers pleaded guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm.

Alex Daymond, defending, said: “This is a rather unusual case and the sentencing guidelines don’t readily apply.

“I accept there are rather worrying aspects to it but these are aspects that can be dealt with by the probation service. He is a medium risk of re-offending.

“What needs to be addressed is this defendant’s outlook to sexual behaviour in these circumstances.”

He said that although it was a deliberate injury it was caused in the misguided belief that the complainant was consenting.

Imposing a one-year probation order Judge Douglas Field said: “The facts of this case are extremely unusual.

“You did have a weapon, namely this knife, and you used the knife in a way that caused injury to your partner.

“But it appears that this was some sort of sex game that had gone wrong and you were under the reasonable understanding that she was consenting.

“The injury itself is not that serious.

“You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and you have never been in trouble before.”