THE chilling screams of a woman who made a 999 call during an attack in which she was knifed in the back by her boyfriend were played in court.

Sarah MacEllen feared she was going to die following the horrific attack by Jonathon Dean, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

She had called the police after Dean — who has committed 160 previous offences — forced his way into her home in Whiston. Her cries for help could be heard as he knocked her to the floor.

Passing sentence at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Andrew Menary said: “Her screams were chilling to everyone who heard it.”

Dean went into the kitchen arming himself with a bunch of knives and went back into the lounge where she was curled in a ball trying to protect herself.

As she cowered Dean stabbed her.

Miss MacEllen was described as “hysterical” by the time police arrived.

She initially told police she didn’t want Dean arrested but the judge said this was because of the hold he had over her.

He ruled, Dean is a danger to the public and jailed him for eight years with an extended licence of four years.

The woman’s “chilling” screams, which were recorded in a 999 call were played to court.

He told Dean, who will serve at least six years behind bars, that the attack involved the “gratuitous” use of knives and against a background of domestic abuse.

John Chukwumeka, prosecuting, said that prior to the attack on March 26 the couple had been together for seven months. The level of violence quickly increased over the weeks.

On the night of the stabbing the couple had called at his parents’ home and Dean overheard her share her concerns to his father about their relationship.

She decided to get a cab back home alone. However he jumped into the vehicle then forced his way into her home.

Dean, from Boxwood Close in Huyton, denied inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted after a trial.

He claimed that she had attacked him and he disarmed her, stating she was injured when he threw the knives away. Judge Menary dismissed his claims as “ridiculous”.

David Potter, defending, said that Dean, who has a chronic drug habit, had had a chaotic lifestyle and expressed remorse for injuring his then girlfriend.