The 40 Year Old Virginactor who stabbed his ex-girlfriend more than 20 times in a vicious murder attempt has been sentenced to life in prison.

Shelley Malil, 46 - who played Steve Carell'sworkmate Haziz in the hit film - cried in the San Diego courtroom as he was sentenced on December 16.

He never faced his victim but did apologise for the brutal attack, telling the court: 'I am at a loss for words right now. 'I failed miserably, not only as a human being but as a father, son, uncle, brother, friend. 'What I did to Kendra, I don't have the words to express my remorse.'

Beebe was having a drink with a male friend while her children - then four and two - slept in her Carlsbad home in Southern California at the time of the incident in August, 2008.

Beebe had broken up with Malil a few weeks before the attack. Malilstabbed her 23 times and left her with more than 40 lacerations. He almost sliced off her chin, punctured both her lungs and stabbed her all over her body including her neck, back and one of her breasts.

During the trial Malil denied trying to kill his ex-girlfriend, claiming he stabbed her in self-defence after mistaking her for someone else who was trying to attack him.