A MAN has been jailed for life for trying to murder a Huddersfield prostitute.

Security guard Richard Wilson plunged the knife into his victim's back so hard it snapped off.

Police believe that if the knife had not broken, he would have killed his victim during the vicious attack in Great Northern Street, Hillhouse, in Huddersfield's red light area.

Wilson, 31, of Dalton, worked at the Kingsgate shopping centre.

He had never been in trouble before, but admitted attempted murder and was jailed by Judge James Stewart at Bradford Crown Court.

He had ordered medical reports on Wilson before passing sentence, because of the danger he posed to the public.

Det Insp Steve Hepplestone, of Huddersfield CID, said: "A dangerous man has been taken off the streets of Huddersfield.

"The risk he posed is reflected in the life sentence."

And he praised a team of detectives - led by Det Sgt Ian Gettka - who carried out a painstaking investigation to catch Wilson.

"Wilson was a complete stranger to his victim, so we were starting from scratch," said Det Insp Hepplestone.

"It was an excellent investigation which involved a lot of work in and around the town centre to identify Wilson and link him to the attack.

"If the knife had not broken, we may well have been dealing with a murder," he added.