A 21-YEAR-OLD who repeatedly knifed his girlfriend in the neck while she slept has been locked up.

Scott Smith, 21, attacked Kirsty Holmes with a 'Rambo knife' on January 16 causing the 20-year-old severe injuries.

The former soldier was found guilty after a trial at Worcester Crown Court late last month and was today jailed for 15 years.

Smith, who served with the 2nd Mercian regiment for two-and-a-half years, said at his trial that bayonet training in the army had taught him how to kill but he intended to do no more than hurt Miss Holmes.

• See tomorrow's Worcester News for the full story.