**Mother Escapes Jail After Throwing Knife at Man During Night of Drinking**
A mother from Birkdale has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after admitting to hurling a knife at a man in the street, following a drunken dispute that erupted after allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Angelika Struckaja, aged 29, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, where she expressed her relief with tearful emotion as she learned she would be released from custody.
The altercation took place on 29th April 2025, when Struckaja and her acquaintance, named in court as Erdzsan Sabulov, were consuming alcohol at her home. Evidence presented to the court stated that Sabulov allegedly “pinched her and asked her for sex.” Struckaja claimed through a probation officer that she rejected his advances, at which point she was struck and fell heavily against a television stand.
CCTV evidence played a significant role in the court proceedings. Footage from across the street captured the moment Sabulov fled the property, followed closely by Struckaja, dressed in pink, who was then seen hurling a kitchen knife. After missing her target on the first throw, Struckaja retrieved the weapon from the ground and launched it once more; this time the blade reportedly struck Sabulov in the leg. During the exchange, Sabulov picked up the knife and threw it back towards his assailant.
The prosecution, led by Christopher Hopkins, detailed Struckaja’s previous conviction in 2020 for a similar offence. On that occasion, she was spared jail time despite stabbing a man in the back, as she was due to give birth days later. In this earlier incident, Struckaja was again reported to have acted in response to an unwanted sexual comment, before running from her flat with a large knife and stabbing the complainant, resulting in a puncture wound to the victim’s side.
During this latest hearing, Struckaja appeared without legal representation, supported only by a Lithuanian interpreter. She conveyed her deep concern for her four-year-old son, having spent several weeks in custody following her arrest in early May. Struckaja formally pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon.
Judge Anil Murray, presiding over the sentencing, acknowledged the background to the event. He told the defendant, “I am going to sentence you on the basis that what you say about the background is true. This was a dangerous weapon. The incident was impulsive and short-lived but amounted to excessive self-defence.” The judge further noted Struckaja’s troubled background, detailing a history of familial violence and emotional hardship, and recognised evidence of “an excessive trauma response” in the pre-sentence report.
In lieu of a custodial sentence, Struckaja was issued a two-year community order, required to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work, participate in up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities, and complete a specific programme requirement. Judge Murray emphasised the gravity of the situation, warning her that any breach of order would likely lead to imprisonment.
Observers noted the visible relief on Struckaja’s face as sentencing concluded, with the defendant quietly agreeing to comply fully with the court’s conditions. Struckaja had also not yet informed her employer about her period in custody, prompting concerns about her continued employment and stability for her and her child.
This case has prompted renewed attention on the complexity of cases involving alcohol, allegations of sexual misconduct, and the use of weapons, highlighting the need for both effective support and robust legal oversight when addressing such volatile situations. The judge’s decision to opt for a community-based penalty underscores the balance courts must strike between justice, public safety, and rehabilitation, particularly where there are dependent children and mitigating personal circumstances.
Moving forward, authorities and community advocates continue to call for proactive measures to tackle the root causes of violence related to trauma, substance misuse, and domestic abuse, hoping to prevent further similar incidents.