An ex-soldier harbouring feelings of bitterness and hatred tried to murder his wife's boyfriend by repeatedly stabbing him with a bayonet.

Andrew Holden, 32, who had mounted a campaign of harassment before going on to inflict eight stab wounds to Marcus Meadowcroft was jailed indefinitely at Preston Crown Court.

When police checked the former matrimonial home in St Catherine's Close, Blackpool, they discovered he had scrawled numerous abusive references on cupboards, curtains and walls, one said "Marcus will die".

Mr Meadowcroft, who is in his thirties, was wounded to the back, but the injuries penetrated to the chest area.

The attempted killing took place at the home of the defendant's in-laws in Patterdale Avenue, Fleetwood, where his wife was then living.

The couple had married in 2003, before difficulties arose and they separated in July last year.

There was an incident that same month where the defendant cut his own arm with a bread knife.

Preston Crown Court was told that following the split, Joanne Holden formed a friendship and then a relationship with Mr Meadowcroft.

Holden then found out and was extremely jealous.

The victim was just leaving the Fleetwood address on March 11 when Holden arrived and confronted him.

He ran up the path, with the standard British Army bayonet in his hand, and grabbed hold of the other man.

Mr Dennis Watson, prosecuting, said Mr Meadowcroft tried to fight him off.

Mrs Holden was screaming and also trying to get him off.

Her father came out and saw Holden repeatedly trying to stab Mr Meadowcroft.

He forced the defendant into the kitchen.

Eventually the weapon was taken from him, but he had managed to stab the victim eight times.

Paramedics gave emergency treatment to Mr Meadowcroft who was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Mr Watson said when police searched the defendant's home and found "numerous abusive reference to his ex wife on the cupboard, curtains and walls throughout the premises."

In addition, he had written a promise on one wall that he would find and kill him.

Other graffitti said "Marcus will die".

A claw hammer, black scabbard and black face mask were found in Holden's car.

In a statement to police he said he had been suffering emotional upheaval, what he thought was a nervous breakdown.

He said he could not recall the facts of that day, but asked for help with his mental health.

In September last year, Holden had threatened to blow himself up by using a can of petrol and a lighter.

That had been the start of a series of incidents directed towards Mr Meadowcroft, either directly or through Mrs Holden in a campaign of harassment, said the prosecution.

The following month he was convicted of harassment and a restraining order imposed.

Also in October, he consulted the army medical services and told a major he felt his wife had betrayed him and that he wanted to kill her new partner, Mr Watson told the court.

In November he had told Marcus Meadowcroft "I'll make the rest of your life hell" after he refused to end the relationship with his wife.

He also attacked the man's car with a weapon and was convicted in his absence of criminal damage, possessing an offensive weapon and threatening behaviour.

Other threats followed in February. In March he also said he was going to kill the other man and that due to the 15 years he had done in the army, prison would be easy, said the Crown.

Holden pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

While in the forces there had been an incident of him holding a number of people hostage with a gun.

Defence barrister Mr Richard Hunt said during his service in the military, Holden had experienced gun fire and been the victim of aggression.

He had served in Northern Ireland.

He had never got over the break-up of his marriage and he found it too much to have the relationship displayed in front of him.

Holden maintained that he had gone to the house in Fleetwood with a view to slashing the tyres.

He did not know the other man was going to come out.

Mr Hunt said: "This was not a premeditated attack on the other man, but his car.

"When the situation presented itself he took it and attacked Mr Meadowcroft.

"As he sees it now, he has no possessions, no property. Fifteen years of army service wasted.

"He does bitterly regret his actions. Until he gets over the situation he will be unable to move on in his own life.

"While the defendant harbours the thoughts he does towards him, Mr Meadowcroft will feel scared if the defendant is to get his liberty in the near future."

Judge Stuart Baker described the incident as "a ferocious attack" and imposed an indeterminate prison term with a minimum of five years and seven months.

But he stressed Holden would only be released when he was able to demonstrate to the parole board that he was no longer a danger to the public.