A LANCASTER woman's last desperate screams were caught on tape as she was knifed to death by her husband, a court heard this week.

Shirley Reghelini had made a 999 call before Gilbert Reghelini returned to the house and repeatedly stabbed her.

She had handed the phone to a neighbour who was still on the line, talking to the emergency services when screams were heard for a significant time, Preston Crown Court heard.

Though married for just two years, the couple were separated at the time and Gilbert Reghelini was seeking a reconciliation with his 65-year-old wife. The 68-year-old retired engineer of Sunnybank Road, Bolton-le-Sands, near Morecambe, pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for life.

The brutal attack took place at her address in Derby Road, Skerton last September. She suffered horrific injuries caused with an eight inch bladed kitchen knife.

Mr Roderick Carus, QC prosecuting, said both parties had been married before prior to their June 1998 wedding. By the middle of August last year the marriage was in difficulty.

She resolved to leave and did so that month. Several others were at the Derby Road address when the stabbing took place, though no-one else saw it. Afterwards Reghelini had a frenzied look on his face and was growling.

The Crown contended that he was jealous of his wife and stabbed her when she made it clear she would have nothing further to do with him. The defendant had been "too possessive", not wanting her to go her son's wedding where an ex husband would be present. Following the killing Reghelini told police he had flipped, but could not remember how she came to be injured.

Defence counsel Mr Anthony Rumbelow QC said Reghelini worshipped the ground his wife walked on. She had enjoyed being cared for in the relationship and was given chocolates and flowers. He was a mild, reserved man and it came as a blow when she left him. He wanted her back and behaved like someone bereaved. A holiday of a lifetime to Cyprus and the Holy Land was planned. A "terrible chance meeting" occurred at the house where words were exchanged.

Mr Rumbelow said "This incident exploded in a moment. It is incomprehensible to him how he could have harmed this woman.

This man will be his own tormentor for the rest of his life." The judge, Mr Justice Nelson, said passion, despair and alcohol appeared to have led to the murder.