Man charged in Australia over sex attack stabbing of British backpacker

Updated

A man has been charged over the sexual assault and stabbing of a British backpacker in Sydney.

The 23-year-old woman was found injured in Redfern on Tuesday, at around 3pm local time.

She stabbed her alleged attacker in the chest as she tried to fight him off, New South Wales Police said.

The man, who has not been named by police, is under guard in hospital.

A bedside court was arranged and he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and aggravated sexual assault with threat to inflict actual bodily harm.

A police statement said: "About 3pm, a 27-year-old man forced his way into his housemate's room and allegedly attempted to sexually assault her.

"The woman, aged 23, attempted to resist the man, when he left the room and returned armed with a knife.

"The man allegedly stabbed the woman number of times. The woman was able to run from the man and armed herself with a knife before allegedly stabbing the man in the chest."

He was refused bail and will appear at Sydney's Central Local Court on May 5.

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