A TEENAGER has had emergency reconstructive surgery after she was stabbed by an intruder as she slept.

The terrified 16-year-old was woken by the man who knifed her in the face and then at least eight more times in the neck, head, arms, back and chest.

Last night she was recovering from the horrific injuries as well as having undergone emergency plastic surgery for her facial wounds.

A man crept into her bedroom in the family home in Lindfield, near Haywards Heath, in the early hours of the morning.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, managed to switch on the bedroom light on and saw her attacker.

Police and paramedics were called to the home at 3.20am on Thursday and she was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton suffering from multiple stab wounds.

She was released from hospital on Friday afternoon.

Christopher James Parsons, 19, of Marlow Drive, Haywards Heath, appeared at Haywards Heath Magistrates' Court on Monday, October 24, charged with attempted murder and carrying an offensive weapon.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at Lewes Crown Court on November 4.

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.

For more on this story see today's Argus.