Two housemates’ violent ordeal at the hands of an attacker was “like a horror movie”, a court heard.

Megan Parson and Gabby Price were stabbed and doused in petrol by Miss Price’s ex-colleague Connah Smith in an ordeal of more than seven hours at the pair’s home, jurors heard.

Mr Smith, 19 at the time, also threatened to kill the pair, threw lit matches at them, and held Miss Parson’s head under water in the bath with his foot, jurors heard.

In her police interview played to Mr Smith’s trial at Lewes Crown Court yesterday, Miss Parson, 21, said: “It was like a horror movie, like he had watched hundreds of horror movies and he just liked to do it.

“I kept asking him why and he said it did not matter why.”

Mr Smith, 20, of Vernon Terrace, Brighton, denies attempting to murder the two women at their home in Dean Street, Brighton, overnight on March 29 and 30.

He admits assault with intent of causing serious bodily harm, false imprisonment and threats to kill.

The court heard how he had met Miss Price while they both worked at Sainsbury’s in Western Road and had seen her outside work three times. Their relationship was never romantic despite his wish to take things further, prosecutor Dale Sullivan said.

Mr Smith denied feelings for Miss Price, now 22, had anything to do with the attack, jurors heard.

Miss Parson said: “I asked him was it because Gabby did not want anything from him and he said it’s not that.”

Defending, Paul Mendelle QC suggested his client had blown out the matches before throwing them at the pair he had doused in petrol.

Both Miss Parson and Miss Price said they were lit. The petrol did not ignite.

They also both rejected a claim that some of their injuries were caused by Mr Smith lashing out when they tried to push him out of the bathroom.

The ordeal ended at 3am when Miss Parson pretended she was having a miscarriage.

The trial continues.