WEST Mercia Police have said the violent riverside attack shocked the Worcester community to the core.

City sex attacker Anthony Roberts, of Green Hill,  has been jailed for life for a barbaric assault on an elderly woman on a city riverside path.

Worcester Crown Court heard knife-wielding Roberts had been released five months before the attack on the 71-year-old woman, in which she was stabbed 50 times, despite a report having said he posed an imminent risk to women. 

The tearful victim bravely read out her statement to the court saying she would have long-lasting scars from an attack in which she thought she'd die.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher said: “This was an incredibly violent attack on an innocent woman, which shocked the local community to the core.

“Thankfully, the victim survived but her road to mental and physical recovery will be a long one.  The outcome could have been very different.

“I’d like to commend her on the courage she has shown in helping us to bring her attacker to justice. 

“I have no doubt that the mental impact of this attack will haunt the victim for the rest of her life, but I hope that today’s sentence will allow her to begin to move forwards.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the team involved in bringing Roberts to justice.  He was located and arrested extremely quickly and charged within 24 hours of the attack. 

“I hope this case shows that we take violence incredibly seriously and won’t hesitate to take action against perpetrators.”

If you’ve been affected by sexual assault or violence, then local support is available from the Victim Advice Line. The Victim Advice Line is a free and confidential service offering advice, practical help and emotional support to people affected by crime, regardless how long ago it happened or whether it has been reported to the police.  Support is available by telephone on 0800 9523000, via email at info@victimadviceline.org.uk and through live chat on victimadviceline.org.uk.