A professional 'Sol Campbell impersonator' was jailed for at least 14 years yesterday for the knife murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Peter Martin (38) pleaded guilty last month to the murder of Karen Hartshorne, who died of multiple stab wounds at her home in Coseley, in February. Judge Frank Chapman, sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, told Martin the ferocity of the killing meant he posed a risk of serious harm to the public.

The 6ft 2in defendant, who was on the books of an agency as a look-a-like of the Portsmouth and England footballer, had been in a long term relationship with Miss Hartshorne, a card shop worker, before they split last Christmas.

He was also convicted earlier this week of attempting to murder the mother-of-two's new boyfriend, Paul Round, who managed to flee during the killing. Miss Hart-shorne, 37, had her throat cut at her home in Norton Crescent, and also suffered up to six stab wounds.

Judge Chapman told Martin, of no fixed address, that he accepted that the killing was not premeditated.

Jailing him for life and ruling that he should not be considered for parole for at least 14 years, the judge quoted a letter from the killer to the court.

"She did not deserve what I did to her, and her family are left only with their memories."

The judge believed Martin had accepted the break-up of the relationship, but could not accept her happiness with another man.