A HUSBAND repeatedly stabbed his unfaithful wife after she returned home from a night out at a rock and roll event with her lover, a court heard.

The fatal attack at the Radcliffe home of the couple — who had been married for more than 40 years — took place shortly after Carole Bland returned from the night out.

James Bland had come home two days earlier than expected from a fishing trip that day — but Mrs Bland and her new man Ray Sandiford continued with their plans to go out.

Mr Sandiford told Liverpool Crown Court that Mrs Bland had told her husband she was seeing another man.

He added that her husband had said he was going to kill her but she did not take it seriously.

Asked about the evening he told the court: "It was beautiful. We had a couple of dances and a couple of strolls and just enjoyed the music and being together."

When he dropped her off at a petrol station near her home, he said his final words to her were 'I love you'.

Ian Unsworth, QC, told jurors that after returning to the couple's semi-detached home in Bury Road in the early hours of August 1 last year she changed into her pyjamas and went into the lounge.

He said: "It was in that room that Mrs Bland would lose her life at the hands of her husband.

"Carole Bland was subjected to a brutal attack. Her husband stabbed her to the upper body and he did so repeatedly. Mrs Bland clearly put up a fight as her hands sustained what are called defensive wounds.

"Having killed her, Mr Bland also caused serious injuries to himself, inflicting wounds to his throat and wrists."

Mr Unsworth said that Bland, a retired HGV driver, and his wife have three grown-up sons who live elsewhere in Bury.

The couple's relationship had become unhappy and they began bickering.

In 2013 she started going out alone and would go to a dance group at a local social club, St Mary's, on Tuesday nights where she formed a relationship with Mr Sandiford.

She began telling people of problems at home and occasionally mentioned her husband had been violent towards her.

Mr Sandiford was due to see Mrs Bland at about 11.40am the next morning and when she did not turn up he began making inquiries.

Early that evening after passing the house and seeing all the curtains drawn he told the police.

An officer called after 11pm but got no answer. The next morning another officer arrived and got in through an unlocked side door, the court heard.

Mr Bland was lying on the settee covered in blood and with two knives on his chest.

The court heard he told the officer: "I've stabbed her and I've tried to kill myself."

Bland, aged 62, admits manslaughter but denies murder.

The case continues.