Man 'watched TV after knife attack'

The wife of a man accused of slashing a helpless teenage girl at a Sussex beauty spot told the Old Bailey today how he had come home with a blood-soaked knife handle.

Anne Haywood described how her husband Ian had admitted he had "done a young couple" and sat down to watch a TV science documentary before going to bed.

Haywood, 37, is accused of stabbing the 17-year-old 35 times and attempting to rape her on Ditchling Common on the Sussex Downs.

The court has heard that the girl was sitting in a car with her boyfriend when Haywood produced a gun, attempted to rob them and locked the boyfriend in the boot of his car before attempting to rape the girl.

Mrs Haywood today told the jury how, in January last year, she had felt helpless as her husband left the house dressed all in black intending to find someone to rob.

On his return, he allegedly stripped off and disposed of his blood-stained clothing and knife.

She said that he then told her: "I've done a young couple on Ditchling Common. I patted him down but he didn't have nothing so I put him in the boot of the car.

"I went to pat her down but she thought I was trying something else and started kicking and screaming, so, f*** it, she had it. I don't know whether she is dead or not."

Mrs Haywood said she felt numb but tried to stay calm and they sat down to watch TV.

Before he went to bed Mrs Haywood said she helped to hide the replica gun he had taken with him in the loft.

The court has heard that the injuries suffered by the teenage girl has been described by doctors as "the most brutal attack they had ever seen". The stab wounds required 143 stitches.

Haywood allegedly forced the girl from the car and onto the ground, ordering her to strip before stabbing her in the face, arms and body before she was able to kick him in the groin and force him to drive off.

Haywood, of Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, denies attempted murder, attempted rape, false imprisonment and two charges of attempted robbery. The case continues.