A former soldier was today starting a life jail term after being convicted of murdering the woman who jilted him.

Kim Baldry sustained 21 stab wounds after a frenzied knife attack by Anthony Pate, who could not cope with rejection.

Pate, 47, blinked furiously as the female jury foreman returned a unanimous guilty verdict at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

Friends and family of Mrs Baldry stifled their emotions as the four man, eight woman jury returned its verdict after an hour's deliberation.

Many of Mrs Baldry's relatives had sat through the week-long trial to hear how Pate murdered the 44-year-old in her own lounge on December 9 last year.

Pate, a painter and decorator, had that day sent two text messages to Mrs Baldry saying he loved her, although their two-year relationship was waning.

When she failed to reply, he caught a taxi from the Marine pub in Marine Road, Eastbourne, to Mrs Baldry's home in Gorringe Road, Eastbourne.

Jurors heard he arrived having drunk at least nine pints of beer with friend Cliff Puttick.

When he found mutual friend Mohammed Ali-Saber already sharing a bottle of red wine with Mrs Baldry, a care home co-owner, Pate became aggressive.

He started cracking his fingers and accusing Mr Ali-Saber, known as Ali, of breaching his trust by having a relationship with Mrs Baldry, who was separated from her husband.

Mr Ali-Saber insisted it was merely an innocent social drink and left within 15 minutes after feeling intimidated by out between Pate and Mrs Baldry over her decision to end their relationship.

During the bust-up, Pate launched a relentless attack on Mrs Baldry with a 10cm-long knife.

Her cries of, "He has stabbed me" and "Get help, I need an ambulance" were heard.

However, she was pronounced dead at the Eastbourne District General Hospital that evening.

Six of her wounds were fatal. Many other wounds were the full length of the 10cm blade.

Pate, of Belle Vue Road, Eastbourne, denied murder, claiming self defence.

However, jurors rejected his "spurious" account that he stabbed her after she suddenly lunged at him for admitting he had slept with his ex-wife the night before.

He claimed not to have realised he had a knife in his hand when he "punched out" at her as he fought her off.

Philip Katz QC, prosecuting, said Pate, who is deaf and has a history of depression, could not cope with another rejection.

He divorced his wife Linda Pate in 1999 as his persistent drinking led to him being verbally and physically aggressive.

Rebecca Poulet QC, defending, blamed his children's home upbringing and nine-year Army career for some of his problems.

Jailing Pate, judge Mr Justice Moses said: "She had made it clear she did not want to continue her relationship with you.

"It was evident to me as it was evident to the jury that you would not accept her decision."

Mrs Baldry's parents, David and Pamela Stevens, released a statement saying they were pleased justice had been served.

It said: "Her life was taken in the most horrific and unwarranted of circumstances."

Outside court, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, who led the inquiry, said: "Anthony Pate is a cool, calm and calculated murderer.

"He committed a most violent assault on an innocent woman."