An attacker who stabbed a Meldreth man twice in a jealous rage, shouting at him “you’re a dead man”, has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Terry Taylor, of Maple Court in Waterbeach, was handed the sentence yesterday at Cambridge Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard how on the night of January 17, Taylor slashed the tyres of a car in Melrose with a knife because the man who owned it had driven his girlfriend home earlier that day.

The owner, a man in his 30s, went outside to find Taylor coming towards him with a crowbar, shouting: “You’re a dead man.”

The man managed to disarm him and flee back to his house but 38-year-old Taylor forced his way in with the crowbar.

The two wrestled to the floor and the victim tried to kick Taylor off but was stabbed twice in his leg.

The victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he received surgery on his injuries. One of the wounds narrowly missed a main artery in his thigh.

Passing sentence on Taylor, Judge Stuart Bridge told him: “It is clear the relationship was strained and you were somewhat paranoid of her activities.

“You knew he had been with her that day and driven her back.

“You went to his house armed with a crowbar and a knife seeking to slash his tyres. The man disturbed you and you confronted him.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Rebecca Cohen said: “This was a premeditated attack on an unsuspecting victim. It is only luck the knife didn’t pierce a main artery.

“There are no excuses for carrying or using a knife and it won’t be tolerated in our county. This sentence reflects what can happen when a split-second decision is made to use one.

“I would like to thank the victim for the bravery he has shown in making a stand against Taylor and helping to bring him to justice.”