ANGRY Christopher Cannin launched a furious knife attack on his older brother after he claimed he had just had sex with his new girlfriend. Christopher, 22, was in a blinding temper when he stabbed his brother Michael 14 times with a kitchen knife as he

ANGRY Christopher Cannin launched a furious knife attack on his older brother after he claimed he had just had sex with his new girlfriend.

Christopher, 22, was in a "blinding temper" when he stabbed his brother Michael 14 times with a kitchen knife as he lay in bed, Luton Crown Court heard today (Friday).

He was sentenced to four years in jail by a judge who told him that many people have "problematical" family relationships.

Prosecutor Heather Shimmen said that on April 2 Michael, 26, met Christopher's new girlfriend called Becky in a pub in Stevenage.

She told Judge Richard Foster: "Michael spent the night at Becky's address - nothing happened. She did not have sex with him, but the next day in the pub Michael told Christopher he had slept with Becky. Becky said Christopher appeared visibly upset."

Michael left the pub and went back to Becky's house where he went to bed, but he was woken by Christopher who kicked him and stamped on his chest. "He was annoyed and upset," said the barrister.

Michael left the house and walked back to the family's home in Shephall Way, Stevenage in his boxer shorts, where he went to bed.

The court heard that Christopher then crashed into his bedroom and jumped on top of him shouting: "I am going to f...... kill you."

Blood pumped from Michael's chest and he realised he had been stabbed with what turned out to be a kitchen knife which had a six-inch blade. Their grandfather described Christopher as being in a "blinding temper".

Michael eventually escaped into the street. He went to a friend's house, an ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital. He suffered 12 stab wounds to the back and chest and two to the arm. One wound caused blood to collect in the lung cavity.

Christopher Cannin, who was of previous good character, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

David Wales, defending, said: "This is a tragedy of a case. Nothing Michael Cannin did warranted what happened to him, but the taunting and goading Christopher suffered at his hands were the final straw that broke the camel's back.

"It came after a lifetime of verbal, emotional and sometimes physical abuse Christopher suffered at the hands of Michael."

Jailing Cannin, Judge Foster said: "It is quite clear there has been a history of a problematical relationship between you and your brother that culminated in what happened in the public house.

"I accept there was goading and provocation but many people have problematical relationships with their families and siblings. What you did was intolerable, unjustifiable and despicable. It is only good fortune the injuries were not more serious.