Anthony Roberts

3 offences

What the court heard

He pleaded guilty to attempted murder, assault by penetration and possession of a bladed article in a public place in Worcester, Worcestershire, on 7 May 2023. SENTENCING REMARKS The provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 apply to the offences to which these sentencing remarks relate. Under those provisions, where a sexual offence has been committed against a person, no matter relating to that person shall, during that person's lifetime, be included in any publication if it is likely to lead members of the public to identify that person as the victim of that offence. This prohibition applies unless waived or lifted in accordance with section 3 of the 1992 Act. Anthony Roberts, 1. At your plea and trial preparation hearing, on 30 August 2023, you were arraigned and pleaded guilty to offences of attempted murder; assault by penetration; and having an article with a blade or point in a public place. It is my duty to sentence you for those crimes. The offences 2. On 7 May 2023, at approximately 1:30am, your victim, then aged 71, to whom I shall refer as Ms A, was walking home from Worcester city centre. She had walked part of the way with a friend, but they had separated shortly before Ms A was to encounter you. It was a route which she had taken many times, without any concern for her safety, and she made sure that she kept to areas which were well lit. As she walked along the riverside footpath, she saw a man whom she thought to be acting strangely. He appeared to be lurking and had removed his top. That man was you, a stranger to her. Ms A quickened her pace, but, as she passed you, she felt an arm come up from behind her, across her throat. You told her, 'I'm going to kill you', and called her a 'whore', continuing with a tirade of further abuse. You then subjected her to a brutal, sustained and ferocious attack, which has had life-changing consequences for her, to which I shall come. You pummelled her, on her head and body. She tried to fight you off, but could feel that you had a sharp implement, with which you began to stab her, again to her head and body. 3. Ms A told the Police that she could not begin to describe the sheer terror which she felt. You pushed her against the river wall, with a force which caused her to fall to the ground. You then pinned her down, with your full weight on her lower legs. She could not move. She tried screaming for help and told you, 'I'm a 71 year old pensioner... What have you got against me? I'm a…

Aggravating and mitigating factors

Mental Health Disorder - Psychotic disorder / psychosis

Around this case

• Worcester Crown Court
• Prosecuted by CPS West Midlands
• Investigated by West Mercia Police