A jealous thug who kicked his ex-girlfriend in the mouth and lashed out with two knives at her male friend was jailed for four years on Monday.

Lee Wallis, 27, of Livingstone Road, Gravesend, was told it was "fortunate in the extreme" that their injuries were not more serious.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Wallis and Miss Morris had been together for almost five years but were "on and off" at the time of the attack in September last year.

After a heated row with Miss Morris at her home, Wallis challenged Mr Devenney to a fight before arming himself with the kitchen knives.

The court heard Wallis repeatedly slashed Mr Devenney as Miss Morris tried to pull him off. He was eventually dragged off Mr Devenney by his friends and thrown out.

However, he returned to kick Miss Morris in her mouth and head as she lay crying on the floor. Wallis was still so abusive and violent when the police arrived that spray had to be used to bring him under control.

Jailing him for four years for the attack on Mr Devenney and one year concurrent for assaulting Miss Morris, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said the offences were "inexcusable".

"You made it clear you were intent on violence. You took steps to arm yourself with not just one but two knives, which you then proceeded to deploy in a violent attack against Mr Devenney."

Wallis, said to be a registered alcoholic, admitted wounding Mr Devenney with intent, and assault causing actual bodily harm to Miss Morris. He denied a third offence of assaulting police and it was ordered to be left on file.

John Fitzgerald, defending, said the attack was borne out of "alcohol and emotional turmoil."

Wallis has already served 196 days on remand.