by Paul Hooper

Jealous alcoholic Gary Peterson stabbed his wife in the chest... and as she pleaded for help plunged the knife in again, it was alleged today.

Peterson, 40, suspected her of having an affair with a police officer, the jury at Canterbury Crown Court heard.

It was claimed he told the injured Samantha Peterson, 39: "If I can't have you..then nobody can!"

Prosecutor Deepak Kapur told how the couple had been married for 12 years when he became "somewhat of an alcoholic".

He alleged that Peterson, of Fort Hill, Margate, developed a knife obsession in the days leading up to the alleged attack in November last year.

Peterson has denied attempting to murder his wife at the family home in Richborough Road, Westgate-on-Sea.

After seeking treatment for his alcohol problem he began an affair, it was alleged.

During a later argument he armed himself with a knife - which his wife feared he was going to use to injure himself.

The prosecutor continued:"That wasn't what was in his mind. At that stage he developed what can only be described as a murderous intent.

"What he then did was he thrust the knife at her several times. She tried to block the blows.

"She then noticed blood. She had been stabbed in the chest.The next thing she recalled was waking up on the floor."

Mr Kapur alleged that during the attack - which was heard by the couple's three children - the blade snapped.

As she lay bleeding on the floor, Mrs Peterson begged him to call for an ambulance.

He is alleged to have told his injured wife: "It's too late. You know I will go down for a long time for this.'

Mr Kapur claimed that Peterson then knelt down next to his wife and said to her: 'If I can't have you then nobody else can.'

"He then poked her in the face with the knife and then pleaded with her asking her to stay with him and not to end their relationship.

"Despite that he stabbed her again for a second time in the chest. When she said she would stay with him, he asked: 'Shall I call the ambulance?' And at that stage he pulled the blade out, " he claimed.

After his arrest he was taken to the police station where he claimed his wife had been having an affair with a police officer.

Peterson is alleged to have told one of the policemen he would "slit the officer's colleague's throat.

The trial continues.