A BROMSGROVE man has been found guilty of murdering his wife by stabbing her in the chest with a chef’s knife after a New Year's Eve drinking game.

Jurors today convicted David Clark by a majority 10-1 verdict of the murder of Melanie Clark, rejecting his account of being subjected to sexual humiliation and cruel remarks in the months and days before the killing.

South Africa-born Clark, 49, told his trial at Birmingham Crown Court he could remember nothing of stabbing his wife in the chest at their home in Cloverdale, Stoke Prior.

He said his wife had "nearly always" belittled the size of his penis, informed him of a lesbian affair, and made other cruel remarks.

On the night of the murder, the pair had enjoyed a night celebrating New Year's Eve at a friends house where they played a drinking game version of snakes and ladders.

But once they returned home, the couple had argued about Melanie having an affair with their friend’s daughter in their marital bed two days previously.

Mr Clark then stabbed his wife in the chest with a cooking knife and then rang 999, telling police: "I've killed my wife."

Police rushed to the couple's home and mum-of-four Melanie was pronounced dead 12 minutes into the New Year.

Following the murder, he tried to kill himself with gas before police arrived and even begged officers to kill him.

He denied murder, claiming he suffered a "loss of control" and was guilty of manslaughter.

But after a three week trial, he was found guilty by a jury of four women and seven men of murdering 44-year-old Mrs Clark with a chef’s knife, following six-and-a-half-hours of deliberations.

Clark - who was dressed in a checked shirt - showed no emotion in the dock as the jury returned their majority verdict.

Justice Stephen Morris said: "David Clark, you have been convicted of murder by this jury. Sentencing will be on July 12 at 2pm.

"The mandatory sentence for murder is life imprisonment. On July 12 I will set the minimum term you have to serve."

Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson from West Mercia Police, said after the decision: "This was a tragic, senseless crime which has devastated Melanie's family and has left her children to grow up without a mother.

"I hope the outcome of today's proceedings will provide a small sense of closure for Melanie's family, who have shown tremendous resilience and courage in dealing with this tragedy.

"My thoughts remain with them as they continue to rebuild their lives, and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

"I would like to thank all of the officers and staff involved within this investigation, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that David Clark was brought before the courts and will now face justice for his actions."