A JEALOUS man who murdered his estranged wife after she taunted him about her new relationship was jailed for life yesterday.

Thomas Gallagher, 45, stabbed 34-year-old Elizabeth Gallagher 30 times after she boasted about her sex life with a new lover.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that after the stabbing, Gallagher went for a drink in his local pub while the mother of his two children lay dying at their former matrimonial home, in Park Grove, Shiremoor, North Tyneside.

Gallagher, who has a history of psychiatric problems admitted murdering his wife.

The court heard how Mrs Gallagher's wounds were to her chest and back. No defensive injuries were found on her body, indicating she had either been taken by surprise or attacked from behind.

The court heard how Gallagher had boasted to friends that he planned to kill his wife weeks before the attack, last September.

He told police in interview he had snapped after his wife bragged about the size of her new lover's manhood.

Judge David Hodson told him: "You subjected your wife to a horrific assault. The only sentence in law for murder is life imprisonment."

Defence barrister Tony Hawks said Gallagher had not been able to cope after the break down of his marriage and his wife forming a new relationship.

He said: "He is a sad and broken man, burdened of the suffering and tragedy he has caused. He will have to live with it for the rest of his life."