A spurned husband told a jury he did not plan to kill his wife and her lover when he forced his way into their flat armed with a dagger.

Paul England said he did not intend to use the weapon and wanted only to scare his wife, Julia, and his love rival Marten Moore.

England, 38, told the jury at Lewes Crown Court he planned to persuade his wife to return home and rebuild their marriage.

England, an unemployed carpenter, of Bedford Road, Horsham, has denied attempting to murder Mr Moore at his flat in Bishopric Court, Horsham, on January 24.

England said when he kicked in the door early in the morning Mr Moore ran on to the blade and was accidentally seriously injured in a scuffle.

The court has heard Mr Moore, 35, a bank worker, suffered life-threatening wounds to his chest and abdomen after being stabbed with the commando-style knife.

England told the court: "I just wanted my wife back. I didn't intend to kill anyone. The thought of me killing my wife makes me want to be sick. I was so much in love with my wife and still am."

He also said he had no intention of harming Mr Moore. He said: "I just wanted to scare him so he would sit down and talk. I didn't want to kill him or hurt him. He was probably my best mate in Horsham."

England, who was wearing his wedding suit at the time of the alleged attack, admitted he wanted to frighten the couple.

He said: "I was suicidal. I was hurting and I wanted my wife home. There is no way I intended to hurt anyone."

Earlier the court heard his former wife, who has since divorced him, described her four-year marriage as unhappy.

England has also denied wounding with intent to cause Mr Moore grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on Mrs England.

The trial continues.