A MAN tried to murder a friend of his estranged wife after turning up at his spouse's new home armed with a combat-style knife.
Mark Black left Gillian Petrie covered in blood with a serious wrist injury that had almost severed her hand.
A prosecutor told the High Court in Edinburgh that Ms Petrie is now permanently disfigured by scars and cannot forget the assault.
Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo said: "She relives the experience of seeing blood coming from her hands like a geyser."
Black, 42, admitted attempting to murder Ms Petrie, who was aged 49 at the time, on September 15 last year at a house in Burns Wynd, Musselburgh, East Lothian.
During the assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment he repeatedly struck her with a knife and tried to strangle her.
Black, formerly of Tranent, in East Lothian, also assaulted his estranged wife Pauline during the incident after running up a flight of stairs towards her and kicking at a bathroom door in an attempt to force entry after she barricaded herself in.
The plumber also admitted engaging in a course of conduct that caused fear and alarm to his wife between June 2 and September 15 - after the breakdown of their marriage of 23 years.
Ms Di Rollo told the court that Ms Petrie was staying overnight with her friend when Black turned up at the back door and attacked her.
She said: "The witness describes the motion as a chipping motion as if he was butchering a piece of meat. As he repeatedly attacked her right wrist, she could see the bone exposed.
"The attack lasted five minutes. Blood was pouring from her injuries and it is estimated she lost half a litre of blood at the scene."
Ms Di Rollo added: "She felt extremely weak and had the sensation of lying in her own blood. She thought she was going to die. She screamed as loud as she could for Pauline."
During a break in the attack the victim managed to crawl to the house phone and made a 999 call.
First offender Black was later detained by police with blood stained clothing and hands and after he was cautioned replied: "Is she alright?"
Defence counsel Donald Findlay QC said: "There are no words of contrition that would be adequate to express the sorrow and regret that he feels."
The judge, Lady Scott, deferred sentence on Black for the preparation of a background report and he was remanded in custody.
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