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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A 36-year-old woman who stands accused of two counts of assault with a weapon will be released until her next appearance in court.

Darlene Taptunna appeared in court on Tuesday in relation to a breach of undertaking, which required her to not have any contact with the accused while she was under the influence. Taptunna was arrested Aug. 31 when she was found intoxicated at the victim's house.

The original assault charges date back to July 27 when the accused, from Dettah, is said to have threatened her common law partner with a paring knife. "The victim believed that she was going to cut his throat," said crown lawyer Marys Nassar.

The victim also said the accused had been drinking Sambuca all day and had hit him with the bottle twice over the head.

Taptunna works with the victim as well as her brother doing renovations in Yellowknife, her defence attorney Kelly Payne said. The victim "does not fear Darlene Taptunna when she is sober," said Payne, noting the two have lived together for 12 years.

Both the victim and Taptunna's brother appeared in court to vouch for Taptunna's release.

Judge Robert Gorin released Taptunna on the condition that she not return to the victim's house to live and instead preside at Yellowknife's women's shelter. She is also not to have any contact with the victim, unless initiated by the victim himself. Furthermore, she was to "have no contact with (the victim) whatsoever - that is period - between the hours of six and seven p.m."

"I don't care if you're sober and I don't care if he approaches you," added Gorin.