AN ABUSIVE boyfriend stabbed his partner after accidentally punching their four-month-old baby in a fit of drunken rage.

Robert Phillips, of Clay Lane, Reading, hurled a knife at Daisy Whitelock in December and then plunged the blade into her chest and arm.

When she had pulled the knife from her leg and went to comfort their daughter, the 19-year-old threw a punch and struck their baby on the head as the mother dodged the attack.

This followed a series of brutal behaviour towards the victim, who had been assaulted at her home in Tilehurst two months earlier.

Francis Lloyd, prosecuting, said Ms Whitelock laid in her bed petrified all night, bleeding from the stab wounds her boyfriend had inflicted.

He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone he had attacked her.

Phillips told her to cover up the injuries by wearing make-up and initially denied the offences, claiming she had stabbed herself.

He received a 13-year extended sentence at Reading Crown Court on Friday and a restraining order was made, preventing him from making contact with the victim.

In her statement to the court, Ms Whitelock said: "Robert terrifies me and I am so scared that he is going to be released because he will come after me.

"When he comes out I know he will come and find me and the next time I don't think I will be so lucky.

"I think he will cut me to pieces and leave me to rot."

The victim was attacked at her home on Robin Way and doctors said the stab wound to the chest was inches away from her heart.

Phillips changed his plea on the first day of trial and was remanded in Bullingdon prior to the sentencing.

He was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding with intent and sent the victim letters from prison telling her he had changed.

Judge Johanna Cutts added: "The impact on Ms Whitelock was profound and I have no doubt that you are a very dangerous person.

"She deserved your love, care and devotion and you attacked her for more than two hours.

"Her injuries caused her significant pain and she continues to suffer from flashbacks."

Stephen Shay, mitigating, explained how Phillips was suffering from a personality disorder, which may have influenced his abusive nature.