HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut woman who disembowled her husband with a decorative sword at the West Hartford hookah lounge they ran has pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and avoided prison.

The Courant reports that Najeh Frihi pleaded guilty Monday under the Alford doctrine, meaning she disagreed with the state's allegations, but did not want to risk being found guilty at trial and get sent to prison sentence.

Authorities say Frihi's husband, George Ayoub, suffered abdominal wounds, including punctures to his liver, pancreas and spleen. He spent a week in the hospital.

Prosecutors say they agreed to the deal because neither wants to testify against the other and Ayoub does not want to see Frihi go to prison.

The assault occurred April 22 at the 1001 Arabian Nights Hookah Lounge.