Lorna Carr tried to stop the prosecution of Stephen Carr by retracting her statement against him, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Police and the CPS continued the case and she gave evidence against him.
After his conviction for attempting to murder her, the prosecution decided not to ask Judge Simon Phillips KC for a restraining order banning contact between them.
They are now able to write to each other while he is serving his 20-year extended prison sentence and she can apply to visit him.
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After the jury convicted him of attempting to murder her last month, he called “I’m sorry” to her as he was led to the court cells.
While passing sentence, the judge described details of a letter Lorna Carr wrote to him after the trial.
“She describes (you) as a very lovely caring and devoted family man, very good at his job as a double glazing window fitter,” he told Stephen Carr.
“She describes someone who helps others, and she says you have never been controlling or violent to her before the night of this offence.
“You were a ‘broken man’ that night, she describes events of that night as a one-off incident.
“She says she has forgiven you, she trusts you will never harm her again.”
Defence barrister Gulam Ahmed said Lorna Carr wants to resume living with Stephen Carr as husband and wife when he is released from prison.
Neither husband nor wife showed any reaction as the judge ordered Stephen Carr serve at least two-thirds of 17 years in jail before applying for parole.
If he fails to convince the parole board it is safe to release him, he could serve all the 17 years behind bars. He will be on parole until 20 years have passed.
