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Girl, 17, 'almost killed by man' Girl 'almost died in sex attack'
(about 1 hour later)
A man with a sinister interest in sexual violence almost killed a 17-year-old girl during a rape attack, the Old Bailey has heard. A man with a "sinister interest in sexual violence" almost killed a 17-year-old girl during a sex attack, the Old Bailey has heard.
The girl was stabbed in the neck and stomach during the attack in Priory Gardens in Orpington, it is alleged. The teenager was stabbed in the neck and stomach during the attack in Priory Gardens, Orpington, south-east London.
She was saved by surgeons after a passer-by rescued her, the court heard.She was saved by surgeons after a passer-by rescued her, the court heard.
Peter Anscombe, 28, from Orpington, denies attempted murder, attempted rape, sexual assault and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Hospital care assistant Peter Anscombe, 28, of Orpington, denies attempted murder, attempted rape, sexual assault and causing grievous bodily harm.
'Sexually motivated''Sexually motivated'
He also denies assault with intent to commit a sexual offence on another woman.He also denies assault with intent to commit a sexual offence on another woman.
Christopher Hehir, prosecuting, said four days before the attack in September last year, the defendant, a hospital care assistant, had attacked a 39-year-old housewife in a car park in nearby Bromley. Christopher Hehir, prosecuting, said the 17-year-old was attacked on 30 September last year after she got off a bus and took a shortcut through Priory Gardens on her way to work as a shop assistant.
He told the jury Anscombe had no previous convictions. Prior to these events, he [Peter Anscombe] had led an apparently blameless life Christopher Hehir, prosecuting
It is alleged that Mr Anscombe told the victim not to scream, then stabbed her in her stomach.
He then sexually assaulted her before stabbing her in the neck, said Mr Hehir.
The attack was interrupted by a female passer-by who tried to follow the man before returning to the victim and calling for help.
'Scientific evidence'
The victim was taken to Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, where Mr Anscombe worked, and she underwent emergency surgery.
Four days earlier he attacked a 39-year-old housewife in a car park in nearby Bromley, the court heard, but ran off when a witness sounded her car horn.
"Prior to these events, he (Peter Anscombe) had led an apparently blameless life," said Mr Hehir."Prior to these events, he (Peter Anscombe) had led an apparently blameless life," said Mr Hehir.
"However, whatever the outward appearances, he is in fact a man with a long-standing and sinister interest in sexual violence against women.""However, whatever the outward appearances, he is in fact a man with a long-standing and sinister interest in sexual violence against women."
CCTV images
He told the jury that the victims were both blonde and attractive and each attack was sexually motivated.He told the jury that the victims were both blonde and attractive and each attack was sexually motivated.
"The first attack was relatively minor because the attacker was disturbed before he could carry out what were his true intentions," he said. Mr Anscombe was caught on closed circuit television at or close to the scene.
"The second, unfortunately, was extremely violent and the young victim was only saved from death by the prompt and skilful medical care which she received." He admitted being at the scenes but said it was a coincidence, Mr Hehir said.
He also told the court that both victims had identified Mr Anscombe from videos and scientific evidence from the attack on the 17-year-old had linked him to the assault.
The victims cannot be named for legal reasons.The victims cannot be named for legal reasons.
The trial continues.The trial continues.