Man jailed for knife attack on partner who called off wedding

A man who stabbed his ex-fiance after she called off their wedding was told today that he must spend at least ten years in jail.

• Lisa Whyte and fiance Steven McKee

Steven McKee, 38, stabbed Lisa Whyte in the neck and body the day after they were due to be married last July.

He was found guilty of attempted murder by majority verdict last month following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Today, Lord Kinclaven handed him a 14-year extended sentence, with 10 years to be served behind bars and four on licence after his release.

Speaking outside the court, Ms Whyte said she was "pleased" with the outcome, while her mother Anne said: "We're delighted with the result and thankful that it's over."

During the trial, jurors heard that Ms Whyte, who was 32 at the time of the attack, cancelled the wedding after her hen weekend in Newcastle, a few days before the incident.

She and McKee, who have two daughters, had been due to marry at Falkirk Registry Office on July 23 last year.

However the following day McKee attempted to murder Ms Whyte at her home in Slamannan, near Falkirk, repeatedly striking and stabbing her on the neck and body with a knife or knives.

Sentencing him, Lord Kinclaven said: "You have been found guilty of a very serious offence, the attempted murder of your former partner in her own home.

"You assaulted Ms Whyte who lived there, struggled with her and repeatedly struck and stabbed her."

He added: "Clearly there is no alternative to a significant custodial sentence. No other method of dealing with you is appropriate."

Defence Advocate Derick Nelson said his client had no recollection of the attack, which happened not long after the death of his maternal grandmother.

He said: "Mr McKee is obviously a highly emotional man who was devastated by the break-up of not just his relationship but of his family and even after all these months he appears a man who has been broken.

"In the days leading up to the offence and following the break-up he was suicidal.

"It's not too far-fetched or dramatic to say that Mr McKee snapped.

"He is genuinely remorseful and glad that she survived."