A NEWPORT woman fought for her life during an attack by her former partner, a court heard today.

Peter Adlington, aged 50, of Keene Street, Newport, is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court today, charged with the attempted murder of Michelle Williams.

He denies the charge.

He is accused of attempting to murder Miss Williams on November 20, 2014, at her flat in Greenwood, St Julians.

Michael Jones, prosecuting, in his opening speech, told the court that Miss Williams and the defendant had been in a relationship for about 20 years but were estranged since Williams ended the relationship.

The defendant entered Miss Williams' flat on the sixth floor using a key he had cut for himself. Miss Williams arrived home with a man she had started to date at around 5.30pm.

Adlington said he wanted to talk and the former couple were left alone.

The court heard the defendant wanted Miss Williams to take off her coat and tapped her on the chest two or three times.

Mr Jones said: "Suddenly and deliberately he stabbed her upper right hand side in the chest using his right hand. Initially Miss Williams was in shock of this and didn't know what had happened."

The knife was a kitchen knife which Arlington had retrieved from the sink.

Mr Jones said Miss Williams felt the defendant had twisted the knife when he deliberately stabbed her in the chest with it.

The two moved from the kitchen in a struggle to the living room. Mr Jones said Miss Williams was 'fighting for her life.'

The court heard she bit Adlington on his right hand and the two fell back onto the sofa. Miss Williams said she continued to struggle with the defendant to get the knife from him.

The court heard Adlington punched Miss Williams in her body repeatedly during the attack. She said she was 'terrified' at what was taking place.

Miss Williams managed to get hold of the knife and stabbed the defendant once to his body. She pleaded with the defendant that she wanted to see her grandchildren grow up.

Mrs Williams' mobile phone went off and the defendant then grabbed his coat and cider and left the flat. Miss Williams then dialled 999 at around 5.40pm.

She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital where she works.

Mr Jones said: "It is fortunate members of the jury that it wasn't fatal as the defendant could have been here on a different charge."

Police officers spotted a trail of blood leading away from the flat towards Beaufort Road.

A police helicopter with thermal cameras was deployed to the area and detected the defendant in a nearby field.

Police found Adlington behind a tree.

He was treated for his injury and later arrested.

He told police that he had a key of Miss Williams' apartment cut so that he could surprise her for Christmases and birthdays.

Proceeding.