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

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

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 court heard that Wale met Ms Rose while the pair worked for Vodafone in 2006 and later moved into the home she shared with her family in Dexter Close, Banbury.

Rachel Drake, prosecuting, said: "It seems over time he became jealous and obsessive. There were incidents of temper."

She said Wale punched Ms Rose in the face three times, stabbed her in the back and tried to strangle her after a row in August last year.

He then hit Ms Rose's mother with a bathroom mirror and punched her in the head three times before attacking Mr Meadows with a meat cleaver.

Passer-by Adam Maddocks found Ms Rose, who had managed to escape during the struggle, 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 had pleaded guilty to attempted murder, robbery and two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent during 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."