By Tony O’Riley –
A deluded criminal who believed he had a comic book alter-ego has been jailed for viciously stabbing and almost killing a young woman in a park toilet.
Connor Deegan tricked the young teenager that he was taking her to Ilford railway station, only to lure the 18-year-old woman into the toilets at Little Ilford Park on February 17 in 2020.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
While in the park , evil Deegan who was known to the victim, asked her to come into the toilets with him, telling her he had surprise for her. Once inside she was ‘savagely’ attacked and stabbed repeatedly in her neck and stomach.
Deegan then fled the scene, leaving his victim motionless. and seriously injured on the floor.
Detectives investigating the stabbing found photographs of Deegan dressed up in body armour and calling himself ‘The Punisher’- a Marvel comic book character.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Cops found the wicked criminal still wearing the blood-soaked clothing ,and he was in possession of a bag that contained a large combat knife, a balaclava, black gloves and a pocketknife.
Text messages from him indicated that he also planned on creating his own weaponry and armour. Deegan was a regular cosplayer, and turned up in this outfit at conventions and meet-ups nearby.
At Inner Crown Court yesterday, Deegan was jailed for nine years and four months for attempted murder, theft, and possession of an offensive weapon.
She managed to drag herself to the safety of a nearby house where she was rushed to The Royal London Hospital for lifesaving treatment.
Deegan was later found to have 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.
Cops found the wicked criminal still wearing the blood-soaked clothing ,and he was in possession of a bag that contained a large combat knife, a balaclava, black gloves and a pocketknife.
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.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar