EX-soldier Scott Smith, who stabbed his sleeping girlfriend seven times in the neck with a Rambo-type knife, was today starting a 15-year jail sentence.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said it was “a matter of pure chance and good fortune” that 20-year-old Kirsty Holmes did not die.

Smith, aged 21, of Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, was found guilty of attempted murder after a trial at Worcester Crown Court.

There were gasps of “oh no” from the public gallery when the sentence was announced.

The judge said he would serve half the sentence less the 224 days spent in custody. He said the victim would carry the physical and psychological scars for the rest of her life.

But he was prepared to accept that Smith would not be a risk to other women when he was released.

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 had only intended to hurt Miss Holmes.

Prosecutor Gareth Walters said Smith was intensely jealous and didn’t like Miss Holmes wearing short dresses or going out with girlfriends.

On the night of the stabbing they had been in Tramps nightclub in Worcester before walking back to Smith’s parents’ house to sleep.

His father was awoken by screams and he found Kirsty on the bedroom floor covered in blood.

Mr Walters said Miss Holmes was in danger of bleeding to death.

She had been stabbed six or seven times in the back of the neck but luckily the knife had missed vital arteries and the spinal column. She could only recall waking up in a pool of blood.

Charles Hamer, defending, said Miss Holmes had since moved on with her life and was pregnant when she gave evidence at the trial.

He submitted a letter from Smith’s former girlfriend in the Army who said she had never felt threatened during their affair and described him as “a lovely guy”.

After the sentencing Det Con Zoey Carter, of West Mercia Police, welcomed the sentence.

“This was a horrific attack which left a young woman with serious injuries,” she said.

“I would like to firstly commend Kirsty for her bravery throughout this investigation and hope that she can now move forward with her life knowing that justice has been done.”

She said she hoped it would send out a message to other victims of domestic violence to report crimes against them.

Miss Holmes, now aged 21, said: “I would like to say thanks for all of the support I have received from the police, my friends, my family and everyone involved.

“Scott is paying the price for what he has done and I hope I can now move on.”