12:30pm Friday 4th May 2012
A man who sneaked into a schoolgirl’s bedroom and stabbed her in the face has been found guilty of attempted murder.
The teenager was woken up at 3.20am by Christopher Parsons, now 20, knifing her in the face.
He also stabbed her at least eight more times in the neck, head, arms, back and chest.
The then-16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, managed to switch the bedroom light on and saw her attacker.
After attacking the girl, Parsons went to Lindfield Recreation Ground and cut himself.
On trial at Hove Crown Court Parsons, from Marlow Drive, Haywards Heath, denied attacking the girl at her home in Lindfield, near Haywards Heath.
But he was found guilty of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon following the attack on Thursday, October 20, 2011.
Detective Inspector Dave McCullough said: “Throughout this investigation, and during the terrifying event itself, this young victim conducted herself in a way one can’t help but admire.
“She displayed levels of compassion, dignity and self-control one rarely sees even in those we consider to be paragons in our society.”
Parsons was remanded in custody yesterday (May 3) and will be sentenced at a later date.
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