A man who believed he had a comic book alter-ego has been jailed for repeatedly stabbing and almost killing a young woman in a park toilet.

Connor Deegan, pretending that he was taking her to Ilford railway station, lured an 18-year-old woman into the toilets at Little Ilford Park on February 17 of last year.

While in the park the 21-year-old, who was known to the victim, asked her to come into the toilets with him as he had surprise for her. Once inside she was 'savagely' attacked and stabbed repeatedly in her neck and stomach.

The victim lay motionless until Deegan left the scene. Then, seriously injured, dragged herself to the safety of a nearby house where she was rushed to The Royal London Hospital for lifesaving treatment.

The investigation found Deegan had told people, as he fled the scene, that he wanted to ‘give her a choke-hold’ that he believed would turn him into TV and comic book character ‘The Punisher’ and then take her to the park and kill her.

Deegan was arrested by officers at a nearby address within six hours of the attack.

When found he was still wearing blood-soaked clothing and was in possession of a bag that contained a large combat knife, a balaclava, black gloves and a pocketknife.

Detectives found images of Deegan dressed as ‘The Punisher’ and text messages where he talked of creating his own weaponry.

He also took part in cosplay – where the participants dress in costumes and make-up, representing characters from anime, video games, television and film ¬– and attended events in the guise of the character.

Deegan, of no fixed address, appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Monday, May 17 where, having previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder, theft and possession of an offensive weapon, he was sentenced to nine years and four months’ imprisonment.

Detective James Cronin, of the North East BCU Safeguarding Unit, said: "Deegan committed a cold, calculated and savage attack on a victim who is very lucky to have survived.

"Had it not been for the help she received from the community immediately following the attack, and the assistance provided by first responders and medical specialists, the outcome could have been even more severe.

“For the victim, the resulting scars from this incident will not only be physical, and they will last far beyond the healing of wounds.”

In an impact statement presented to the court, the victim said that the attack had a dramatic effect on her life. She described having regular panic attacks and crying uncontrollably for hours and having been left with lifelong physical scars.