A FATHER-OF-THREE was cleared of trying to kill his wife after finding out she was having an affair on Wednesday.

However, the jury found Paul Temple guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a knife attack which left wife Sharon with a punctured lung and a mouth wound.

The 44-year-old was jailed for 11 years.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton said he had sought to control his wife and was "hellbent on confrontation".

The former taxi driver had denied attempted murder and wounding with intent following the incident at the couple's Stockton home.

The couple, who had previously lived in Bishop Auckland and Ferryhill, were said to have had a "tempestuous" relationship.

Nick Dry, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court: "It was a sustained attack with the use of a weapon. The attack took place at the victim's own home which she has since left, unable to return."

Jo Kidd, defending, handed in a number of references to the judge and said he had continued to try and maintain the family unit in what was "a very unhappy marriage."