A judge yesterday sent a highly dangerous serial domestic attacker to jail for 13 years – and warned women that next time he could kill.

Grant Stephenson drove a knife into his wife Christine’s stomach at her Ilkley home in April, causing a wound a foot deep, then watched her bleed on her bed for four hours.

The horrific attack came days after his release from a three-and-a-half-year sentence for viciously assaulting her.

Stephenson, an electri-cian, had two earlier convictions for battering his wife, by pushing her hard against a car door and then biting and trying to strangle her.

At Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC passed an 18-year extended prison sentence on Stephenson, 49, of Peel Place, Burley-in-Wharfedale, made up of a 13-year jail term plus five years on extended licence.

The judge told him he abused his power to attack his vulnerable wife of seven years, who often protected him by telling police her injuries were caused by falls.

“When you are sober, you are a skilled and helpful man, but a dark and evil monster is unchained when you are in drink. You are a clear and present danger to any woman with whom you are in a relationship.”

Judge Durham Hall added: “I want people in the county to know you for what you are because you have the capacity to kill.”

Stephenson admitted wounding his wife with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm on April 8. He had previously admitted causing her actual bodily harm by hitting her in the face with a vodka bottle on the same day.

Prosecutor, Louise Reevell, said Stephenson moved into his wife’s home in Railway Road against her wishes after he was freed from jail.

Mrs Stephenson, 51, who has now changed her name, put up with it to stop him “turning nasty”.

When he hit her with the bottle, causing cuts, bruising and swelling round her eyes, she went to bed.

Stephenson came upstairs and asked for money at about 2pm. When she refused, he looked her in the eye and thrust the knife into her upper abdomen.

After four hours of lying on her bed bleeding, Mrs Stephenson gave him her pin number so he could go and buy more vodka. She then fled the house.

The wound damaged her kidney and pancreas, and she was in Airedale Hospital for a week.

His solicitor advocate, Simon Hustler, said: “He is deeply sorry and horrified.

“Alcohol is Mr Stephenson’s demon, and it has played a part in every situation that has brought him before the court.”