Children witness man's horrific kukri attack on his wife at their Swindon home

Bikash Gurung, of Boynton Close, Badbury Park, will also serve five years on licence after he is released, following his appearance in court today.

Gurung launched a terrifying attack on his wife on December 29 last year. 

His wife sustained multiple life changing injuries to her hands, face, head and neck as a result of the horrifying ordeal.

A 999 operator could hear her screams of terror, a court heard today.

By the time Gurung, finally ended his attack with the sharp machete-like regimental weapon he believed his wife was dead - and so did the first policeman on the scene, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

The woman appeared lifeless as she lay in a pool of blood in the family home.

But miraculously she survived although she had injuries including fractures to the skull, the jaw and two vertebrae. Her hands were badly cut and the ring finger of her left hand was severed almost right through.

She spent two months in hospital and is still feeling the effects of her injuries now, 10 months later, said prosecutor Rob Wellings.

Gurung, who served 23 years in the Gurkha Regiment before becoming a security guard, pleaded guilty to trying to murder his wife on December 29 last year.

He was jailed for 14 years and will have to serve at least two-thirds of that sentence, if not all of it. His release date will be decided by the Parole Board when it is satisfied he is no longer a public danger, said Judge Michael Cullum.

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The judge also added a five-year extended licence period to Gurung's sentence - meaning that he could be recalled to prison by the Parole Board at any time up to the year 2036.

Judge Cullum imposed an indefinite restraining order on Gurung. It bans him from contacting his wife in any way.

The court heard the couple had been married for 20 years. It had been an arranged marriage.

Mr Wellings said that by the time of the attack Mrs Gurung was not happy with the relationship. 

He was very controlling, constantly checking her mobile phone and other devices and became 'pre-occupied with loss of self respect and honour' at the thought of her divorcing him - something she had resolved to tell him she wanted on December 29.

They had a confrontation and Gurung went to the kitchen and fetched his Kukri - a weapon about 18-inches long.

She dialled 999 and the recording of her conversation with the operator was played in court. She sounded calm as she gave details of Gurung hitting her earlier that day and said she was seeking advice.

Gurung's voice could be heard in the background at times during the long call as the operator questioned her about what had happened and whether Gurung could hear her.

She told the operator her children were at school earlier when her husband had beaten her 'black and blue'.

The operator assured her officers were on the way to her home as they spoke. She told the operator Gurung was shocked she was calling the police but was not threatening her.

She confirmed she was frightened of him and that he was trying to prevent them splitting. She told of his controlling nature, his violence against her by hitting her with a stick, and said it was getting worse.

As she was telling the operator, "he has broken bones when he assaulted me before - he broke my nose" when she suddenly started shrieking and screaming.

The screams went on for some time, with banging noises and sometimes the sound of Gurung's voice. But then Mrs Gurung went silent.

Mr Wellings said at 10.13pm Gurung phoned 999 saying he had just killed his wife. At about that time the couple's son came downstairs, saw what had happened, and cried 'Daddy, daddy.'

The first police officer on the scene was a special constable who saw her lying motionless in a large pool of blood and thought, like Gurung, that she was dead.

Then another PC arrived and saw signs of life. He started resuscitation until paramedics arrived to take over.

Later, Mrs Gurung was able to tell police that her husband had suddenly launched the murderous attack while she was on the phone and had shouted "I'm going to kill you now. I won't let you live."

He had rained down chopping blows on her with the knife and her hands had taken the brunt of them as she tried to defend herself.

"He was chopping at her neck - holding her head and pulling her hair," said Mr Wellings.

"She went down and he continued attacking her while she was on the floor."

When Gurung was questioned by police he said: "Is she dead? I tried to kill her."

Defence barrister Gerard Hillman called retired Gurkha brigadier Bruce Jackman OBE MC to give evidence on behalf of Gurung.

The brigadier, who has visited Gurung three times in prison since his arrest, said: "He was a completely honest Gurkha. That is how I always knew him. He was loyal, respectful - I had the highest regard for him.

"He did not seek to minimise his actions when I spoke to him. He regretted what he had done. His words were that it was a moment of madness."

Gurung had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he added.

Jailing Gurung, Judge Michael Cullum told him: "On 29th December you changed the course of every member of your family's life. You tried to kill your wife of 20 years and that was partly witnesses by one of your children. The other child will also grow to learn what his father did to his mother.

"You are, I accept, remorseful.

"But this attack was sustained and prolonged. There were many thrusts and cuts from that exceptionally sharp Kukri knife."

Detective Sergeant Troy Smith, of Wiltshire Police, said: “The victim had called police to ask for advice regarding ongoing domestic abuse. She was still on the line to a police operator when Gurung launched his terrifying attack with a sharpened kukri – a traditional Nepalese machete.

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"As he slashed at her, the victim put her hands up in an attempt to cover her face and neck.

"As a result, one of her fingers was severed and she suffered significant lacerations to both hands. Despite inflicting these terrible injuries, Gurung continued his attack on the defenceless victim.

"He used so much force that he broke her neck and her jaw in the process and caused her to lose a life threatening amount of blood. So severe were her injuries that when officers and paramedics arrived at the scene, they thought she had lost her life.

“The phone line to police remained open throughout Gurung’s attack and as part of the investigation, the recording of the call was obtained. It is utterly shocking to listen to.

"We know that after the attack, Gurung called police and calmly waited at the house for officers to arrive while his wife lay bleeding on the kitchen floor.

"I am sorry to say that there were two children present in the house at the time and they witnessed the aftermath of the attack.

“The victim was rushed to hospital and was initially not expected to survive. She spent two months in hospital, undergoing surgery and physical therapy and is now recovering at home.

"However, she still has significant scarring and will have limited use of her hands for the rest of her life - a permanent reminder of this man’s devastating actions.

“I hope that the lengthy custodial sentence handed out to Gurung can bring some closure to the victim and that she is able to rebuild her life.

“No one should ever have to suffer the abuse and terrifying ordeal that this lady was put through – nobody has the right to make you feel threatened or frightened.

"I would appeal to anyone who may be experiencing abuse at the hands of their partner to ask for help as soon as possible.

"As well as police, there are many other local and national support networks, such as Women’s Aid, available to both male and female victims of abuse.”

To report an incident call 101, or 999 if someone is at risk of being harmed.