A CROATIAN man jailed for 12 years for a ferocious knife attack had illegally returned to the UK after twice being deported.

Maxi Lord, 42, was last kicked out of the country just six months before carrying out the "terrifying and sustained" assault on his ex-mother-in-law, Gabriella Danihelova, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Lord, of Summer Hill Street, Lidget Green, Bradford, left the 53-year-old cleaner whimpering in pain and with 23 wounds to her face and hands.

She was shaking in fear, with blood pooled at her feet, at her home in Hoxton Street, Girlington, Bradford, prosecutor Dave MacKay said.

Mrs Danihelova spent four days in hospital and her hands were in bandages for weeks.

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Mr MacKay said there were two young children in the house when Lord tricked his way in on October 21 last year.

The attack was so ferocious that the large kitchen knife he brought with him broke into four pieces.

Lord and his accomplice, Mariusz Ochnio, were originally charged with attempted murder.

Lord's pleas of guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon were later accepted by the Crown.

Ochnio, 35, of Laisteridge Lane, Great Horton, Bradford, admitted common assault and was jailed for four months.

Mr MacKay said Lord asked Ochnio to knock on the door because he knew the family would not open it to him.

Ochnio followed Lord into the house and took hold of Mrs Danihelova's daughter-in-law, Beata Krokova, covering her mouth to stop her screaming.

Mr MacKay said the prosecution accepted he did not know what Lord planned to do.

The court heard that Lord had spilt up with Mrs Danihelova's daughter, Svetlana, 32, after a turbulent relationship.

Lord, who served in the Croatian Army, had previous convictions in the UK for conspiracy to commit fraud, battery and theft from his employer.

He was deported in 2013 and again on April 23 last year, making his way back into the country via Italy under a false name.

Mrs Danihelova said her injuries meant she could no longer work as a cleaner.

She was having counselling and undergoing physiotherapy for the damage to her hands.

Lord's barrister, Rodney Ferm, said the attack was the result of "bad blood between families."

"He regrets it. He cannot turn the clock back and he knows he is facing a very lengthy sentence," Mr Ferm said.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, told Lord: "You were bent on very serious and premeditated violence.

"You caused very real damage in a frenzied attack on Gabriella. It was a terrifying and substantial assault."

Judge Thomas said Lord would again be deported after serving his sentence.