A 79-year-old man from West Sussex has been sentenced to life in prison for stabbing his wife of 50 years to death in bed.

Michael Pyke murdered Beryl Pyke, 84, at their home in Langley Grove, Aldwick, in May this year.

Lewes Crown Court heard that Pyke phoned his cousin the following day, saying: "I've murdered Beryl...I'm going to have a bloody good drink."

Pyke pleaded guilty to murder on 19 October and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 15 years at Hove Crown Court on Friday.

When police arrived at the couple's home on 31 May, Pyke was drinking and watching television. He complained to officers of having a bad back and later said his handcuffs were too tight.

Beryl had 11 stab wounds to her front, back, abdomen, arms and scalp which were inflicted with severe force, a pathologist told the court.

The fatal blow punctured the fluid sac around her heart.

For at least 30 years of the couple's 50-year marriage Pyke had subjected his wife to habitual abuse, the court was told.

The couple were separated but lived in the same house.

Police said they had found blood-stained clothing in the laundry basket and a knife hidden in Pyke's bedside cabinet.

At sentencing, the judge told Pyke: "You have not tried to either explain or excuse your actions.

"I have no doubt it was your intention to kill her and you did so showing no mercy."

In a previous incident, a neighbour reported seeing Pyke standing over his wife, punching her.

Pyke was jailed for 10 months after he stabbed a neighbour in 2007 when he intervened.

Beryl asked for restraining orders against her husband to be lifted out of sympathy for him, despite the recurring pattern of violence against her.

The court was told she was concerned he would be homeless.

Martin Rutherford KC, for the defence, said Pyke had been sober for a long time but had begun drinking a litre of vodka and cider each day.

He had 47 convictions for 18 offences, including 13 for violence, and was described as having an extensive history of domestic violence.

After the sentencing, Det Sgt Elliott Lander said: "While in police custody, [Pyke] made a number of comments which indicated his responsibility for what had happened, showing no remorse and a nonchalant attitude towards the devastating consequences of his actions.

"When interviewed, Michael Pyke chose to remain silent, denying officers and Beryl's family the answers they deserved.

"Nothing can undo the devastation caused by Beryl's death, but now sentencing has taken place, we hope her family, friends and all those who knew and loved her can take some comfort in knowing the man responsible will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars."

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