A NEWPORT man was jailed for eight years for stabbing his ex-partner in the head, neck and chest in a brutal and 'sustained' attack.

Martin Bowen, 24, of Chepstow Road Newport pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding with intent against Christine Evans, 24, his ex-girlfriend of nine years, at Cardiff Crown court yesterday (FRI).

Prosecutor Gareth James told the court that on July 20 this year Ms Evans had friends over for food and drinks.

Although she described her relationship with Bowen as 'on and off', they had ended their relationship a couple of months previously.

The court heard that throughout the night she received 'nuisance' texts from Bowen, and alerted the police.

In the early hours she and a friend went out to buy more drinks.

Mr James said: "When they returned home they heard banging on the back door, and the friend, knowing the defendant, thought there may be trouble and left through the front door."

The court heard Bowen entered through the front door, locking it behind him.

He pulled Ms Evans down and began punching and kicking her repeatedly.

He left the room and she managed to get hold of a phone and dialled 999 but could not speak.

Bowen had gone to the kitchen and returned with a knife and began stabbing her in the neck and chest.

She managed to grab the knife from him and threw it under a unit, but Bowen went into the kitchen and grabbed another knife before resuming his attack.

In her statement Ms Evans said she thought she was going to die.

She managed to unlock the door and escape and screamed to her neighbours, who having heard the disturbance had already called police.

Two neighbours who saw her said she was 'covered in blood' and Bowen was grabbing her, trying to drag her back into the house.

A female neighbour intervened and managed to separate the pair, hitting Bowen on the head, and took Ms Evans into her home.

The neighbour's father attempted to detain Bowen and the pair exchanged blows before Bowen ran away.

He was later arrested and taken into custody by police.

In a prepared statement he told police he had gone to her house to talk about their relationship and saw her kissing a man, and became angry and jealous.

He said: "I cannot fully remember what happened but I remember wanting to hurt her so she could feel the pain I was feeling" and added that he was "not trying to kill her."

A medical report said Ms Evans suffered a 3cm deep wound and several superficial wounds to her neck, head, breast and hands.

The court heard in 2012 Bowen appeared in court after grabbing Ms Evans around the throat, leaving bruises.

In her statement she said: "I did not think he would ever do something like this to me.

"My scars are still visible and remind me of what happened. When I go to bed I replay the incident over and over in my head.

" I want nothing more to do with him."

Defence barrister Stephen Jeaney said his client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and knew he was facing a considerable custodial sentence, adding: "He was unable to deal with the breakdown of their relationship."

Recorder IWL Jones told Bowen: "You should be thoroughly ashamed of what you did.

"It must have been terrifying."

"You are a dangerous man and that's why this sentence is being imposed."

Bowen was given eight years in prison, a 12 year licence, and an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting Ms Evans apart from through official channels.