A MAN who tried to kill his wife by running her over has earned himself an extra four weeks in jail after wasting top judges' time with a hopeless appeal.

'Dangerous' Michael John Hollins, formerly of Tower Road, Broomy Hill, Hereford, was locked up indefinitely for public protection at Worcester Crown Court in September 2009.

The 49-year-old was ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years behind bars, Mr Justice Popplewell told London's Appeal Court last week.

He had been convicted of attempting to murder his wife, Chloe Hollins, in Breinton, near Hereford, in July 2008.

Hollins, who had no previous convictions, had hoped to collect a £500,000 life insurance pay-out by running her down with a Land Rover.

Last week, Hollins argued that the Crown Court judge 'erred' in ruling him a dangerous offender.

He should have adjourned the case for a probation officer's report to be prepared, he claimed.

But the trial judge had described him as 'plainly a dangerous offender' and the indefinite sentence was 'lawfully available', said Mr Justice Popplewell.

As Hollins' appeal was so hopeless, the judge took the rare step of ordering that 28 days already served should not count towards his minimum term.

The indefinite sentence means that Hollins will only ever be freed if he can convince the Parole Board he is no longer dangerous.