A forklift driver tried to drug his wife several times before resorting to lacing a cake with sedatives to escape the "emotional drain" of his marriage.

BBC News said Terrence Bennett, 46, was arrested last November after his wife, Kathryn, found a white powder on her plate. Mr Bennett had brought two cakes home and told Mrs Bennett "don't forget yours is the one with jam".

In the days before his arrest, Mr Bennett made his wife a cup of tea, the first in their 26-year relationship. Another time he gave her an unusual-coloured glass of wine. When asked about it, he joked, "Do you think I'm trying to poison you?".

The court heard Mr Bennett was depressed because his wife had asked for a divorce and debts had led to their home being repossessed. Judge John Williams told Mr Bennett to seek psychiatric help, ordering two years' rehabilitation.