A thug who stabbed a woman at his Southwick home has been jailed by a judge at Hove Crown Court.
Bradley Wright, 34, was jailed for 13 years and 6 months after he almost killed Leanne Constable, also 34.
The pair, who knew each other, had a row at his home in Highdown, Southwick, on the morning of Saturday 16 September last year.
Miss Constable was taken to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery which saved her life.
Her heart had stopped beating at one point after Wright’s 5in knife “connected with her lung and heart”.
The thug also left Miss Wright with a fractured eye socket and broke her 28-year-old friend’s nose.
He attacked PC Charlotte Rowley too after being arrested.
Sussex Police said: “Hove Crown Court heard that Wright stabbed his 34-year-old victim when she turned up at his home at 8.30am on Saturday 16 September last year.
“The two knew each other but a row had broken out between them and he stabbed her in the chest with a 5in knife and fractured her eye socket.
“She was rushed to hospital where her heart stopped beating and medical evidence proved that the knife had connected with her lung and heart.
“She underwent emergency surgery which saved her life. Doctors said she had a nine to 12 per cent chance of survival.
“Her 28-year-old friend who had accompanied her to Wright’s house was punched by him and suffered a broken nose.
“Wright was arrested and charged with with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assault and assaulting a police officer on the way to custody.
“He was found guilty on (Monday) 19 March following an eight-day trial and sentenced to 13 years and six months.”
Detective Constable Seb Day said: “The victim was very lucky to survive after she suffered life-threatening injuries.
“We are pleased that Wright has been given a substantial jail sentence and taken off the streets.”