Aubrey Padi, 46, had split from Tamara Padi, 43, in February, but let himself in on July 7 armed with knives, a hammer and a cord. Tamara ？ described as a "lovely, bubbly, outgoing, professional woman" ？ worked as a carer and was on a late-night care visit when Padi sneaked into their home in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester.

       She arrived with a colleague who was staying that night. The friend, asleep in the living room, was woken by screams and saw Padi fleeing.

       But when Tamara continued to cry, he went back upstairs and stabbed her eight times.

       Tamara was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead.

       Padi was jailed for a minimum of 23 years at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to Tamara's murder.

       Detective Inspector Lee Shaw said: "My thoughts go out to the victim's family, especially her two daughters."