A KNIFEMAN who tried to kill his sister with an eight inch blade as they celebrated their mum’s 73rd birthday has been jailed for nine years.

Hywel Basham, 43, of Tone Close, Bettws, Newport, repeatedly stabbed Sally Edwards with the kitchen knife, a court heard.

His sister could have died had the blade he used to attack her not snapped.

Ms Edwards was rushed to the city’s Royal Gwent Hospital with stab wounds to the head and a seven inch slash mark on her back.

The mum-of-two was left with injuries to the head and body, slash marks and bruising.

She also suffered panic attacks, nightmares and flashbacks of the attack triggered by merely closing her eyes, an impact statement she provided revealed.

Prosecutor Mike Jones told Cardiff Crown Court: “She has no doubt that if he hadn’t broken the handle and nobody had been there, she would have been dead.”

After the stabbing, in Monnow Way, Bettws, Basham gloated: “I hope it’s still in the back of her head.”

Basham had previously been jailed for three-and-ahalf years after an axe attack outside his home in Newport.

Judge Eleri Rees jailed him for nine years for the attack on his sister after hearing he represented a significant danger to others.

She said: “This was an horrific scene for all those present.

I find with no hesitation that you pose a significant risk of offending and causing serious harm to the public.

“The family have suffered a traumatic and horrendous incident and I have no doubt they will take many years to feel better and heal emotionally.”

A row erupted at the family home during the birthday on October 4, 2012.

Basham asked his mum Elaine for money but his sister objected, so he stabbed and kicked her on the ground, Mr Jones said.

His mum tried to stop him, but he pushed her on to a sofa, the court heard.

Basham had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs, including two pints of cider and methadone, the court was told.

The court heard he hated his sister and had previously threatened to strangle and stab her to death, telling her “I’ll stick a knife in you” and “I’ll get her one day.”

His barrister, Stephen Thomas, said it was an unpremeditated attack committed in an “uncontrolled rage”.

Basham had pleaded guilty to attempted murder at a hearing on December 6.

Judge Rees imposed an order stopping Basham from contacting his sister for life.

After the hearing, Ms Edwards, 45, said: “I just want to forget about it. I’m having so many nightmares. I’m trying to move on.

“I would like to thank my mum, family and friends for their support. I would also like to thank Gwent CID and the hospital who have been really good to me.”

String of 20 convictions over the years

BASHAM became involved into a life of crime aged 12 in the wake of a troubled childhood, the court heard.

Prosecutor Mike Jones said Basham had six convictions for theft and burglary during his teenage years.

In January 1991, aged 20, he was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon and using threatening words and behaviour. In 1993, he was convicted of affray and in 1995, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm.

In July 2003, Basham was given three-and-a-half years at Cardiff Crown Court for GBH with intent, affray and possessing an offensive weapon, namely an axe.

Luckily, the axe fell 6in away from his victim, Mr Jones told the court.

Basham’s barrister, Stephen Thomas, said: “This is a man who has significant difficulties and a traumatic background.”

In total, he committed 33 offences and had 20 convictions recorded against him before being jailed for the attack on his sister.