A POLISH national has been convicted of stabbing one of two friends she had invited around to her home in Nelson to celebrate her patron saint’s day.

Anna Marczuk-Franczak, 39, was alleged to have plunged a knife into Piotr Kolodziejski’s neck after she became melancholy during her naming-day festivities, Burnley Crown Court heard.

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But she later claimed that she had only been trying to protect her friend, and Mr Kolodziejski’s girlfriend, Magdalena Swistowksa, after he started to become violent towards her.

Marczuk-Franczak insisted that she picked up a 30cm knife to defend herself.

She said she only realised that it was covered in blood after he staggered out of the property to seek medical help.

Marczuk-Franczak, of Elizabeth Street, was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Kolodziejski and assaulting Miss Swistowksa.

But the defendant was convicted of wounding Mr Kolodziejski, who lives with his girlfriend in Briercliffe.

No evidence was offered on charges of false imprisonment, involving both alleged victims, and not-guilty verdicts were entered by Judge Andrew Woolman. Marczuk-Franczak was bailed, for pre-sentence reports, until March 18.

Jurors were told that the knife said to have been used in the attack has not been found. The blade plunged 10cm into the victim’s body.