A jealous boyfriend who stabbed his live-in-lover to death in Wood Green on Christmas Day, 2005 has been jailed for life.

Dara O'Regan, 51, of Fairfield Road, Edmonton, attacked Fay Brearey after she received a text message from an ex boyfriend in the early hours of the morning.

O'Regan drove the knife into the 45-year-old's stomach and neck, leaving her in a pool of blood before heading to Wood Green police station to hand himself in.

The attack took place at the home of Miss Brearey's friend Brendan Kelly, of Gladstone Avenue, Wood Green, after he invited the couple over for a Christmas Eve drink.

O'Regan, who had stabbed two previous girlfriends in drunken rages, was convicted of murder by a majority verdict at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Judge Peter Beaumont, told O'Regan he would serve a minimum of 14 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

He said: "You took the life of a woman who offered you only companionship in circumstances of considerable violence.

He added: "You left her at a time when she might have been saved."

The court heard Miss Brearey was attacked with an Ancient Warrior' brand knife which she had bought for Mr Kelly as a Christmas present.

Mr Kelly left the couple in his living room after going to bed at around 1.45am.

Shortly afterwards, Ms Brearey received a text message from her former boyfriend which sent O'Regan into a jealous rage.

Jurors heard she had moved into his flat just a few weeks after they met. The couple had been together four months.

Ms O'Brearey had a history of depression and self-harming and had tried to kill herself at least seven times.

O'Regan, who was born in County Galway, and was said to have suffered a difficult childhood', told the court he had stabbed Ms Brearey in an explosion of anger' after she slapped him across the face.

He drove the knife into her gut, piercing her liver and then stabbed her in the neck, cutting into her spine.

O'Regan even claimed during evidence, that Ms Brearey mouthed the words I love you', as she lay dying.

But he did not call an ambulance and left the flat to make the 15 minute walk to Wood Green police station to hand himself in.

Officers rushed to the flat to find Ms Brearey was still alive, but she died in hospital the next day.

O'Regan betrayed no emotion as he was led from the dock. He had denied one count of murder.