The jury in the case of a Bristol woman accused of attempting to murder her husband has spent a morning deliberating on its verdicts.

Joanne Hale, 39, of Hawksmoor Lane, Stapleton, denies attempting to murder her husband Peter, as well as wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in December last year.

It is alleged that, after giving him the sex drug 'horny goat weed' and frolicking with him in Stoke Park, she inflicted a 12cm long slash to his throat before stabbing him further – including an almost fatal wound to his chest which caused lung collapse, cardiac arrest and heart damage.

It is claimed she then left him with passerby Timothy Walker, without saying she knew him or what happened, before driving to Bristol Parkway and meeting her internet boyfriend Philip Sudol in person for the first time.

Andrew Langdon QC, defending, said Hale did not wish to give evidence.

He produced statements from character witnesses who said Hale had "a heart of gold", and was very kind and considerate and always looked out for others.

Jurors were released at 1pm, to allow one of them to keep an appointment.

The case continues.