An airman based at RAF Brize Norton who stabbed his girlfriend more than 20 times because of the ''pressure cooker'' of service in Iraq has been jailed for three years.

Flight Sgt Paul Newton, 45, became obsessed with Cathy Molloy-Fogarty after returning from supporting special forces operations in Iraq and began sending her threatening text messages.

He then turned up at her house in Cheltenham, in the early hours and told her: ''I'm going to finish you off if it's the last thing I do'' before attacking her.

The knife only missed her heart because the blade was deflected by one of her ribs.

Bristol Crown Court heard that the attack was ''wholly out of character'' and that businesswoman Miss Molloy-Fogarty, 41, had now forgiven him and was standing by him.

Newton and Ms Molloy-Fogarty began their relationship last summer, after she split from her husband, who was a friend of Newton.

Judge Tom Crowther told him: ''This sort of offence between the sexes is not uncommon. I'm aware that the passions between the sexes can be all-consuming.

''But in your case, the problems of your relationship were complicated by work difficulties, namely serving in Iraq.'' Newton, an air loadmaster, was sent to Baghdad, where he worked organising top-secret special forces operations.

But the pressure took its toll and he returned home suffering from mental problems. The court heard Newton had an unblemished 19-year career but has now been dismissed.