A woman cried "Help, get me help" after being repeatedly stabbed by the man she had jilted, a court heard.

Kim Baldry, 44, tried to fend off the frenzied knife attack by Anthony Pate with her feet.

Pate, 47, denies murdering Mrs Baldry at her home in Gorringe Road, Eastbourne, on December 9 last year.

Lewes Crown Court heard he arrived at Mrs Baldry's home drunk after she failed to reply to a text message he had sent saying he loved her.

Philip Katz QC, prosecuting, said a row broke out in a back room as Mrs Baldry told him the two-year relationship that began after she had separated from her husband was over.

During the argument Pate, of Belle Vue Road, Eastbourne, pulled out a knife and stabbed her 21 times.

One witness, who cannot be identified, said after hearing the commotion he walked into the room to find Mrs Baldry lying on the sofa trying to push Pate away with her feet.

With her top and the sofa covered in blood, Mrs Baldry said: "He has stabbed me." Mrs Baldry had wounds all over her body, including some up to 10cm deep.

Her father-in-law, Kenneth Baldry, was called from his house in the same road as the row became more heated.

Mr Baldry said: "I walked in and it was mayhem.

"The coffee table was on its side and there was crockery all over the place.

"Kim was lying near the door with Pate lying alongside her.

"I told him to leave her alone. When he turned towards me, I saw he had a knife.

"He just turned with the knife in his left hand and snarled at me with his teeth showing.

"I told him I would hit him with my torch if he didn't back off."

Mrs Baldry was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital but was declared dead at 11.30pm.

In a police interview, Pate claimed he had retaliated in self-defence after she stabbed him.

The case continues.