A man who stabbed his wife’s ex-husband has been given a 27 year sentence for attempted murder.

Following an eight day trial at Wood Green Crown Court William Kelly, 50, was found guilty, on Wednesday, of the attack on Michael May which took place on October 30, 2011.

He was sentenced this afternoon to 13 and a half years in custody and another 13 and a half years on license in the community.

The defense pointed out a number of mitigating circumstances including that Kelly had lost his first wife to complications after an operation, that he had suffered serious leg injuries in a motorbike crash and that he had spent time homeless.

However, the judge said: “That Mr May survived is a considerable miracle. His life was quite simply ebbing away.

“This was a case of level one attempted murder with serious long term harm.

“The clear objective was to end Mr May’s life.”

Kelly, who lives in east London, entered a house in Oakleigh Road North, East Barnet, at 3.30am while his victim, Mr May, was sleeping.

Kelly entered the house using a key which he had obtained from Mr May’s young son, his face was covered with a balaclava and a motorbike helmet and he was wearing gloves and a boiler suit.

He struck Mr May over the head, and then on the arms, with a baton causing serious bleeding.

He then forced his victim to the ground and pressed the baton to his neck before drawing a knife from a shoulder sheath and stabbing Mr May twice through the heart and four times in his arm.

The victim struggled with his attacker and managed to knock the knife out of his hand.

Kelly searched for the knife and when he found it he ran from the scene saying: “Don’t look at me. Don’t follow me or I’ll kill yer kids.”

Kelly left Mr May badly injured but he managed to drag himself to a phone and called 999.

When police and paramedics arrived they had to force the door open to treat him.

Mr May was rushed to hospital where it was discovered that of his numerous stab wounds, two had pierced his heart.

The victim had previously been married to a woman with whom he had two children.

Following their divorce the victim’s ex-wife married Kelly.

He is said to be devoted to his new wife.

The victim had recently obtained custody of the two children, who were living with him, but staying with their mother, on the night of the attack.

The judge gave this custody decision, as well as Kelly’s belief that Mr May had raped his wife during her marriage to the victim, as the motive for the attack.

Mr May said that the divorce, and subsequent relationship with his ex-wife and her new husband, had been acrimonious.

Kelly was identified as police discovered he was the owner of a Nissan car which was seen on CCTV near the scene shortly after the attack and which contained Mr May’s blood.

At the scene the police also found the tip of a black rubber glove which had traces of Kelly’s DNA on it.

After the sentencing the judge thanked the police and paramedics who he said had saved Mr May’s life.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Matthew Bennett said: “Kelly carried out a wicked and terrifying attack in the victim’s own home.

"This attack was so ferocious that Mr May was lucky to survive and tribute has to be paid to the medical services that came to his aid.

“Kelly had attempted to conceal both his motive and identity; but the evidence gathered by police enabled the jury to see through his deceptions and bring him justice.”