Brandon Carelse, the Humboldt, Sask., man who was found guilty of trying to kill his wife in a vicious knife attack and assault in 2011, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Sentencing, in Saskatoon, took place Tuesday.

The judge on the case said Carelse would receive credit for pre-trial custody of about 20 months.

After factoring the credit for that time, Carelse will serve a total of 14 years and 2 months. He will be eligible to apply for various forms of parole prior to the end of his sentence. The judge said the court was unmoved by an apology Carelse made, saying the court was "not impressed" with the man's words.

The judge said "it is unthinkable" in describing the injuries inflicted on the victim and the harm done to the children in the family.

The judge specifically rejected "the defence's call for leniency."

While the court considered a longer sentence, such as life in prison, the judge said such a sentence would be too harsh, but said "I detected no sincere feelings of remorse during his testimony."

Carelse and his family moved to Humboldt from South Africa in 2008. Court heard the couple was hoping a new location would help them start a new, and better, life.

At his trial Carelse claimed he attacked his wife in a blind rage and was not in control of his actions.

The victim was stabbed an estimated 29 times.

With files from CBC's Peter Mills