A woman called police to report her partner had just stabbed her three times with a large hunting knife.
Paul Housden, 54, had been in a relationship with his partner for 30 years but suddenly snapped and attacked her, Exeter Crown Court was told.
He leaned over her as she lay on the bed then plunged the knife into her three times before apologising and going back to the lounge.
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The defendant, of Valletort Park, Brixham, could give no explanation for the attack. The court was told he used drink to deal with his depression and anxiety but had never been violent to her before the stabbing.
He was jailed for four years and nine months after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
It happened on December 22.
Prosecutor Mr Simon Burns said 'it was an extremely sad case'.
Housden and his partner Mandy Mitchell had been together for three decades but in the early hours of the morning she called 999 and said 'My partner attacked me with a knife and he's getting threatening again. He won't leave me alone'.
While she was talking the operator could hear the Housden in the background and the victim telling him 'They'll be round to get you the help you need'.
She said she had no idea why she had been attacked.
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When police arrived they found Housden had a collection of knives. He had stabbed the victim with a wide-bladed serrated hunting knife that he had bought off the internet.
Ms Mitchell was treated at hospital for stabs to her chest, neck area and thumb. She needed 12 stitches.
It turned out Housden was heavy drinker who had tried to take his life previously by shooting himself with a crossbow, turning the gas on and drinking bleach.
Before the stabbing he had been in a 'bad mood' and complained his life was over.
He told his victim he was going to the workshop to kill himself. He came back a short time later with two bottles of bourbon and two litres of dandelion and burdock.
Ms Mitchell went to bed in the spare room but woke to find him stood next to her holding the knife. He lunged with the knife before appearing to be shocked by his own behaviour. He stuck the knife into the pillow beside her head and walked off.
The defendant could not explain his actions.
Ms Ceylan Bayram, defending, said it was an isolated incident. He was desperately sorry about hurting the woman he loves and wants to go home once he leaves prison. There was no application for a restraining order.
Judge Peter Johnson said the relationship had become bedevilled with the defendant's mental health problems.
"You had consumed alcohol at the time and completely out of the blue you attacked her while in her own bed with a vicious hunting style knife. I share the prosecution's view as to why on earth anybody should be in a possession of such a knife.
"Mercifully you didn't damage any vital organs or cut arteries. The impact could have been much more serious than it has been."
