split element of list

def split_element(input, index, splitting_character=' '):
    # we don't accept to split on more than one character and check for length of list
    if any([index > len(input), len(splitting_character) > 1]):
        return input
    # if splitting character is no character we default to a space
    items = input[index].split(splitting_character or ' ')
    # if we actually have items are remove the inital from the list and insert our elements
    if len(items) > 1:
        input.pop(index)
        for count_, item in enumerate(items):
            input.insert(index + count_, item)
    return input