Man charged over the sex assault stabbing of British backpacker who fought him off by knifing him in the chest at Sydney hostel

Photo: Nine

A woman fought off her housemate after he allegedly stabbed her in her own bedroom at this hostel in Sydney

   Woman, 23, attacked by man who 'stabbed her multiple times in her room'
    Sheturned the tables,  'overpowered Mexican and knifed him in the chest' before running off
    Man, 27, is under police guard in hospital where bedside court was set up. Charged with Grave Bodily Harm with intent to murder and aggravated sexual assault

 

A man has been charged over the sexual assault and stabbing of a British backpacker in Sydney. The 23-year-old woman was allegedly attacked by her hostel housemate who slashed her throat with a knife and stabbed her numerous times.

But her survival instincts 'kicked in' and she allegedly knifed the 27-year-old Mexican in the chest before running off.

He also fled into the street, leaving a trail of blood behind him, according to police. 

The man, who has not been named by police, is under guard in hospital, where a bedside court was arranged.

He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and aggravated sexual assault with threat to inflict actual bodily harm over the attack on Tuesday. 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. 

Last night, the woman was in hospital in Sydney recovering from emergency surgery. Yesterday, streaks of blood were visible on blinds, doors and walls in the property.

Witnesses said they heard 'bloodcurdling screams' coming from the inner-city boarding house at around 3pm.

The man was later seen staggering from the house, dripping blood, before being arrested by police two blocks from the boarding house.

The man had only been in the country for a few weeks and is believed to have become acquainted with the British woman while they were staying at what is known as a 'backpacker share house' in the inner-city suburb of Redfern. 

Photo: Nine

 The man was arrested after a short police chase on foot and taken to hospital where he remains under guard

According to police, the woman was in her room at the house – where up to 20 other backpackers were staying – when the Mexican man allegedly forced his way in and tried to sexually assault her on Tuesday afternoon.

It is alleged she resisted his advances, telling him to get out – but after leaving in a frenzy he returned with a knife and stabbed her.

When authorities arrived at the home, the armed man allegedly fled the scene to avoid police officers

Although she struggled desperately, police allege he managed to stab her several times before she was able to run from the room screaming.

As he came after her, she found another knife and allegedly stabbed him in the chest. He turned and ran from the building.

She wrapped herself in a towel to stem the flow of blood, according to police. 

Photo: Nine

Footage shows dramatic moment police forced their way into the home after receiving a call from the victim

'I heard loud screams, psychotic screams, walked out and [saw] a girl pushed up against the window, blood coming out of her right hand side, saying: 'Help me, help me,' witness Jerry Betrou told ABC.

'She was pushed up against the window. She couldn't get out. It was like a cage.'

'There was so much blood and distressed people coming out of the house that made it a very scary scene,' said another witness.

'This was horrific for anyone to go through,' said Inspector Fitzgerald. 'She showed phenomenal bravery.'

Another backpacker, who received a cut to his hand when he first ran to the woman's aid, re-entered the house with police yesterday to describe what he had seen.

Two police officers who also received cuts and grazing while trying to arrest the man had to receive hospital treatment before they were released.

Police made an appeal to travellers to stay safe when sharing accommodation with people they do not know well.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are offering assistance to a British national who remains in hospital in Sydney and will stay in contact with local authorities.'

Credit: Mail