A man from Sedgley who savagely attacked the brother of his girlfriend with a machete and knife after the romance turned sour has been jailed for six years.

Andrew Harper, 30, lashed out when James Regan called to check why the relationship between the lovers had cooled, a judge heard yesterday.

The victim needed 22 stitches after being stabbed and slashed around the face and hands, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Harper from Larch Grove, Sedgley, armed himself after receiving a phone call to say the brother of his sweetheart Rebecca was coming round to see him at her home in Dudley, said prosecutor Miss Amy Jacobs.

Harper sent a text message to a friend that revealed: “Got a nice sharp knife ready,” the court was told.

Miss Jacobs said he had been in a relationship with Rebecca for about 12 months and spent a lot of time together at her home. James went round after Rebecca asked to stay the night with him rather than going back to her home. Miss Jacobs said there was a struggle during which James saw a  Stanley knife blade in the right had of Harper.

He also had a large knife with which he tried to slash James who put up his hands to shield his face.

Self employed crane operator Mr Regan had been unable to work since the incident because of nerve damage to his left hand.

Mr Philip Brunt, defending, said Harper was drunk at the time.

Harper admitted wounding with intent on April 17 and was jailed by Judge Helen Hughes.