Jurors are deliberating in the trial of a man accused of stabbing a city worker during a violent robbery near her home in Dagenham.

Barry Peacham is claimed to have knifed Qingqing Rao in the head and vagina before fleeing with her handbag, phone and computer tablet during the violent attack in Castle Green Park, on February 13 this year.

The Old Bailey heard claims that Peacham dumped the lower-value items before returning to his then-home in nearby Maplestead Road, where he was described as being out of breath, wearing gloves, had a rip to his jeans and was walking with a limp.

Ms Rao, a 30-year-old business analyst, is in a persistent vegetative state and requires round-the-clock care in a nursing home.

She is unlikely to recover from her injuries.

Peacham, 26 and of no fixed address, denies attempted murder and robbery and said another man carried out the attack.