A man who had been serving a life sentence has admitted he tried to kill and sexually assault a pensioner months after being released on licence.

Anthony Roberts attacked the 71-year-old woman with a knife in May this year, five months after his release.

The 56-year-old was jailed for life in 1991 for offences against several women which bore “striking similarities” with the attempted murder of the pensioner near the River Severn in Worcester.

Roberts was released on licence in December 2022, a magistrates’ court hearing – held a day after the attack – was told.

Prosecutor Kate Hatton said both Roberts and the knife were covered in blood as he was seen to be “bending over the woman” while “seemingly still attacking” her.

After being challenged by officers he ran but was “red-dotted with a Taser and threw the knife to the ground”, Mrs Hatton said.

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Mrs Hatton said Roberts threatened his victim with rape and death.

The 56-year-old also admitted to carrying a knife.

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After the attack the previous hearing was told a diary entry was discovered at Roberts’ home along with unspecified “Jack the Ripper material” with notes in it, while pornography was being streamed on a television.

Roberts was remanded for sentencing to take place on 2 October.

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