A CHEPSTOW man who was jailed for the attempted knife murder of his ex-wife's new boyfriend deserves every day of his sentence, top judges said yesterday.

John Way, 52, attacked 54-year-old Julian Davies with a six-inch blade at the home he shared with Way's ex-wife in Woolpitch Wood last November.

In a jealous rage, he launched himself at Mr Davies, stabbing him four times before removal men at the house intervened.

He initially denied he was trying to kill him, but ultimately pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was jailed for 14 years at Cardiff Crown Court in May.

Rejecting an appeal against the sentence, appeal judge Lord Justice Jackson said it was richly deserved for the attack.

The court heard Way, of St Lawrence Park, Bayfield, went to Mr Davies' home on the day he and partner Jayne McKendrick were due to move out.

He took a knife and left behind letters to family members, in which he said he would be going to prison soon.

At the couple's home, he stabbed Mr Davies and injured Mrs McKendrick in the struggle.

After the removal men had intervened, Mrs McKendrick applied pressure to her partner's wounds until paramedics arrived.

Way was arrested and later admitted attempted murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm of his ex-wife and having a blade.

He appealed, arguing that 14 years was too tough. It did not properly reflect mitigation, including mental illness and the fact he was not a danger to others, he said.

But Lord Justice Jackson, sitting today with Mr Justice Coulson and Judge Peter Collier QC, said the sentence was justified.

'This was a premeditated, murderous attack,' said the judge.

'That was evidenced by the letters which he wrote before setting off for the victim's home.

'He armed himself with a knife with a six-inch blade and he did what he had intended to do.

'It was purely a matter of good fortune that the removal men intervened.'

The sentence was upheld.