A 20-year-old man has been found guilty of attempting to murder two trainee nurses at their home.

Connah Smith stabbed Gabby Price and Megan Parson, threatened to kill them, doused them in petrol and threw matches at them.

Jurors took less than two hours' deliberation to convict Smith, of Vernon Terrace, Brighton, of two counts of attempted murder after a five-day trial at Lewes Crown Court.

In a statement read out after the conviction today, his victims thanked jurors for "listening to all the evidence and believing us."

They added: "Connah Smith is an extremely dangerous man and we are pleased that his conviction means that he is unlikely to be able to hurt someone else for the foreseeable future.

"We would like to thank Sussex Police and the prosecution counsel for their help and support they have shown us throughout this ordeal.

"We would also like to thank our friends and family for their love and support."

Smith admitted before his trial wounding with intent, false imprisonment and threats to kill both women.

But he said he did not intend to kill them during the more than seven hours he held them at their home in Dean Street, Brighton, from the evening of March 29 until the early hours of March 30.

He attacked Gabby Price, now 22, a former colleague, after waiting for her to come home from work, tricking his way into the house after asking to borrow her toilet.

He stabbed her housemate, Megan Parson, now 21, when she came home nearly two hours later, asking her how she wanted to die and holding her head underwater in the bath.

The pair's ordeal ended after Miss Parson pretended to be having a miscarriage and he let them call an ambulance on his phone.

Defending Smith, Paul Mendelle QC said the violence was intermittent during the night and the stab wounds he inflicted were shallow.

DI Mick Jones, of Sussex Police, thanked the victims for "the courage they have shown during this trial".

He added: "Their evidence has led to the conviction of Smith. He subjected them to an horrendous ordeal over a seven hour period which was like something out of a horror movie.

"Unfortunately for the girls it was a very real experience. The jury heard how Smith had planned this attack over a number of weeks leading up to the offence.

"He had researched how to get away with murder as well as forensic matters and serial killers on his home computer.

"I am glad the jury has listened to the evidence and found him guilty to the attempted murder charge he faced."

Smith will be sentenced tomorrow (Tuesday) at Lewes Crown Court.