A JEALOUS father has been found guilty of murdering his former partner after stabbing her in the heart in a police station car park.

Nahed Akhter, 41, who was brought up in Blackburn, was sentenced to life imprisonment for stabbing to death Yvonne Heap, the mother of his three children and partner of 22 years.

Ms Heap, 39, had 13 wounds, including the fatal blow which pierced her heart in the attack in Oxford in April last year. She died two days later.

Akhter admitted unlawful killing but denied murder.

The defence claimed he was not guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility as he was suffering from a mental illness at the time.

Oxford Crown Court had heard that Akhter, of Cowley, went into a violent rage moments after seeing Ms Heap with her new boyfriend and realising their recent separation was permanent.

Judge Julian Hall, recommended Akhter serve at least 12 years.

Ms Heap leaves three children, Daniel, 17, Yasmeen, 12 and Tomaz, nine.

Akhter, known to his friends as Hector, was born in Baghdad to Indian parents, but grew up in Blackburn until his family moved to Oxford when he was 15.

Ms Heap's family have criticised Thames Valley Police after she tried to report the threat Akhter posed.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Taylor, said: "The family feel that their expectations of the criminal justice system have not been met and I have assured them that we have learned lessons from this case."