A man who tried to murder the mum of his three children with a kitchen knife and shards of glass in Plumstead on Mother's Day - all the while claiming he still loved her - has been detained in a mental hospital.

John Webster, 44, argued with the 32-year-old woman, who had been staying with a friend in High Grove, before launching a vicious assault early on March 30 last year.

Woolwich Crown Court heard how he slashed the woman's neck with a kitchen knife and kicked her in the head and face whilst saying that he still loved her. 

Even after the woman was helped back inside by her friend, Webster kicked in the front door’s glass panel, crawled through and attacked her again inside using shards of the broken glass.

He eventually left her with multiple stab and slash wounds to her neck, shoulders, arms, sides and back. She was also left with a broken nose and a fractured eye socket.

Plumstead detectives traced Webster six hours later when he returned to his mother’s address, still in his blood-soaked clothes. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder. 

In court, Webster, from Camberwell, admitted causing the injuries to his ex-partner, but denied attempted murder. 

However, a jury found him guilty and, on March 25, he was jailed for 18 years, subject to a hospital order. The order means he will be treated in hospital for as long as doctors deem appropriate before serving the rest of his sentence.

Investigating officer DC Anna Brown, from Greenwich Police’s CID said: "Webster launched a vicious attack against his victim, leaving the mother of his children for dead. 

"I would like to praise the victim for her courage and strength and for assisting us with our investigation. I hope that Webster will take the time behind bars to think about his actions and how they impacted on his family."