A SINGER carried a carving knife to her “violent” ex-boyfriend’s home for “protection” to confront him after he stole her handbag with her car keys inside.

Mother-of-two Emmy Long was on a night out in Newport city centre when she was “beaten up” by her former lover, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

The defendant, a performing arts graduate who has worked as a professional vocalist, then armed herself with the blade which was hidden in her pyjama bottoms.

Prosecutor Steven Donoghue said she was either “tipsy or drunk” when she went to her former partner’s home in Newport on November 11, 2018.

Judge Nicola Jones heard her ex-boyfriend had been to prison for assaulting her and the defendant’s only previous conviction was for driving offences.

Long, formerly of Malpas Road, Newport, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Eugene Egan, mitigating, said when she was arrested, she showed a nurse at the police station the injuries sustained at the hands of her ex-partner.

He told the court these included marks to her face, body and limbs and that he had two previous criminal convictions for attacking her.

Mr Egan added: “He also has a separate conviction for a Section 18 offence (wounding with intent).

“He is a violent man. He has a history of violence in a domestic setting and outside the home.

“He took her handbag with her car keys inside and took her car away.

“She wanted her handbag and her car back. She took a knife with her which was the wrong thing to do.

“She knew the man was not going to be polite and reasonable. She took the knife with her defensively rather than to use if offensively.

“This is not a case where the defendant should lose her liberty. She made a foolish decision in the heat of the moment.”

Mr Egan said: “She is a performing arts graduate and has worked professionally as a vocalist.”

He told the court she had just been offered a job in France.

Judge Jones accepted that this was an “isolated incident” and said Long had “no relevant previous convictions”.

She jailed Long for six months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered her to carry out a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The defendant must also pay £340 prosecution costs.