A woman accused of attempting to murder a 13-year-old boy said she handled two knives, two bottles and a beer can used to hurt him but did not inflict any of his injuries.

Gemma McGarvie, 18, of South Terrace, Littlehampton, told Lewes Crown Court her lover, Lorraine Large, inflicted the wounds in three separate attacks.

McGarvie admitted being present while Large kicked, punched and stabbed the boy at Littlehampton but said she had not joined in.

She told the jury she twice went back to the boy after the attacks to check on his condition and called an ambulance.

The teenager was taken to hospital after the attacks on December 14 last year and survived.

McGarvie said Large, of Foxes Croft, Barnham, initially kicked the boy down three flights of stairs from a flat in Littlehampton.

Large then attacked him with a knife and other implements on three separate occasions during the night.

McGarvie said: "I had seen her angry but this was another matter.

"She lost control. She had no sense of what she was doing."

McGarvie said she had been "too chicken" to stop her and been afraid of being attacked herself.

The court heard McGarvie was a heavy drug user and had a history of mental problems.

McGarvie and Large deny attempted murder and malicious wounding.

Large was expected to give evidence today.

The trial continues.