A man who stabbed his wife to death had a long history of mental health problems dating back to his childhood, a jury heard.

Dewi Hughes, an alcoholic, has been diagnosed as suffering from a severe psychopathic personality disorder and was jailed in the past for violent crimes, including assault and wounding.

Hughes, 38, has denied murdering his wife, Anne, at their home in Twyford Road, Brighton, in May last year but has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The jury has heard how Anne, 55, a mother-of-two, bled to death after being stabbed in the back with a kitchen knife.

Afterwards Hughes attempted to stitch up the fatal wound with a needle and thread.

On the fifth day of the trial the jury was told in detail of Hughes' medical history, including spells in psychiatric hospitals, self-harm, agoraphobia, depression and suicide attempts.

The court also heard Hughes has previous criminal convictions for assaulting a police officer, harassment, criminal damage, crimes of violence, theft and burglary.

In 1995 he had contacted a doctor and reported he felt a danger to society and wanted sanctuary in a secure unit.

In 2001 he told his GP he felt angry all the time and had areas of aggression he could not control.

Professor Nigel Eastman, a forensic psychiatrist, told the court Hughes could be described as a neurotic psychopath.

He said: "It is recognised people like this are both very severely disordered and dangerous."

Professor Eastman said spouses were those most at risk from people with a disorder like Hughes and such people were more stable in prison.

The trial is due to end next week.