A psychopathic lover who tried to kill his girlfriend with a kitchen knife before attacking her family with a meat cleaver was jailed today.

Luke Wale, 33, stabbed Laura Rose in a drink and drug-fuelled rage after a row about their relationship last August.

Oxford Crown Court heard he then turned on Ms Rose's mother Josephine and her partner William Meadows when they tried to come to her rescue.

The couple met at work in 2006. Wale later moved into the home Ms Rose shared with her family in Dexter Close, Banbury.

Rachel Drake, prosecuting, said Wale punched Ms Rose, stabbed her in the back and tried to strangle her, then hit her mother with a mirror before attacking Mr Meadows with a meat cleaver.

Passer-by Adam Maddocks found Ms Rose lying bleeding in a nearby garden. Miss Drake said he was dialling 999 when Wale grabbed his mobile phone - saying he had committed one murder and was prepared to commit another.

Peter Du Feu, defending, said Wale had a personality disorder and regretted his actions. Wale admitted charges of attempted murder, robbery and two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent at a previous hearing.

Sentencing Wale to an indefinite jail term - but for at least six years - Judge Julian Hall said: "It's difficult, it seems to me as an amateur, to define a psychopath - but it seems to me there are times when you behave as if you were."