A delivery driver from the Black Country has been found guilty of murdering his prospective mother-in-law in a knife attack after his fiancee called off their wedding.

Birmingham Crown Court heard Robert Edwards, of Tipton, had launched a "merciless" attack on 59-year-old Sylvia Smith, four days after discovering that his estranged partner had cancelled their wedding at Warwickshire's Wroxall Abbey estate.

Prosecutor Timothy Spencer QC said Mrs Smith's body was found at her home in Erdington, Birmingham, when her daughter returned home from work on May 7.

The QC told jurors that the daughter, Samantha Smith, had been in a relationship with Edwards since 2000, when they met at the local Longbridge car plant. But the relationship broke down and Miss Smith, 36, left Edwards, 42, in April to move back to her mother's home in Mere Road.

The court heard she later cancelled the wedding, planned for August, after Edwards threatened to commit suicide.

Describing Mrs Smith's injuries to the jury, Mr Spencer said: "There was a devastating combination of knife injury and blunt-force injury from fist, foot or both."

Speaking after the verdict, Detective Inspector Simon Astle from West Midlands Police said: "This was a horrific and brutal attack by Robert Edwards, who at one stage was a prospective son-in-law.

"At the earliest opportunity, police received support from partner organisations including the Forensic Science Service and Crown Prosecution Service to bring the case quickly before the courts.

"Our thoughts remain with Sylvia's family. We hope the conviction brings them some closure whilst they try to come to terms with Sylvia's untimely death."

In a statement released by police, the family of Mrs Smith said: "This verdict is justice for Sylvia. It is not a time for celebration. We have lost a much loved mother, sister and aunt and now have to live our lives without Sylvia, knowing the horrendous details of how she died.

"We are all very grateful to Mr Spencer QC and the Crown Prosecution Service, the Forensic Science Service, West Midlands Police and the staff at the crown court for their help and support in getting us through this most traumatic time."

Edwards, of Monins Avenue, Tipton, will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.