A depressed man, who tried to stab his wife with a kitchen knife before turning it on himself, has failed in a bid to have his jail term cut.

Lee Dennis's wife Nikola sustained such severe cuts as she defended herself, that she can "no longer hold her children's hands".

Dennis, 46, of Kent Close, Chippenham, was jailed for nine years at Bristol Crown Court last October after being convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He today challenged his sentence at London's Criminal Appeal Court, with his lawyers arguing it was too long, given his state of mind at the time of the incident.

But his appeal was dismissed by top judges, who said the term was not excessive, given the shocking facts of the case.

Mrs Justice Macur told the court the assault, which happened at the couple's home on March 22 last year, was horrifying.

Police were called to the house at about 10.30pm following reports of a serious assault and arrived to find Mrs Dennis with severe cuts to her hands.

She said he had attacked her and, after a brief struggle, pointed the knife towards her. Believing she was going to be stabbed, she grabbed the blade with both hands.

Neighbours called the police after hearing her cries for help, and she managed to break free and flee from the house.

Dennis then began cutting himself and had to be treated in hospital for his injuries.

The court heard the tendons in both her hands were severed and she has been left unable to do certain tasks - which means she is only able to work part-time in certain jobs.

In a victim impact statement, she said: "I can no longer hold the hands of my children". She also said she struggles with everyday tasks and is at risk of burns because she can't feel when something is too hot.

Reports from two psychiatrists found Dennis was suffering "moderate to severe" depression at the time of the attack.

His lawyers argued his jail term was "too long", saying the crown court judge didn't take enough account of his condition.

But, dismissing the appeal, Mrs Justice Macur said the judge could not be criticised, bearing in mind the "aggravating features" of the case.

The judge, sitting with Lord Justice Pitchford and Judge Paul Batty QC, added: "In the circumstances, we regard it to be plainly unarguable that this sentence was manifestly excessive."