Mrs Barnes, 25, said she had been "sickened" by the violent attack on their friend John Maynard, which left him barely alive, suffering massive head injuries and terrible burns.

"It's appalling. I can't believe a human being could do that to somebody else."

The couple were married on September 1 last year and have a son, Kyeland, who will be two in October.

Within eight weeks, they had split up following an argument over Mrs Barnes having a night out at the bingo with her mother.

Mrs Barnes stayed at their home in Shelby Avenue, Durrington, while Barnes took the train to Littlehampton and asked if he could stay the night at Mr Maynard's flat, as he had nowhere else to go.

Until then, she said, he had been a "brilliant dad and husband".

The morning after Barnes left Mr Maynard for dead, he came back to their home, his clothes covered in his victim's blood.

Mrs Barnes said she had been "scared" by the sight of him.

She visited Barnes while he was in prison on remand, but later told him their marriage was over.

"I regret the day I ever came across him, but you don't realise until it's too late," she said on the steps of Hove Crown Court at the end of the six-day trial.

"I'm glad it's all over, and John can get on with his life, and so can I, with my son."

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