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Dulwich Park attacker convicted at Inner London crown court

Police tape
McDonald stabbed a 31-year-old man in the left side of his head and his chest after trying to steal the handbag of the man’s female friend. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

A man has been convicted of a robbery in a south London park in which he stabbed the victim in the side of his head, leaving him hospitalised nearly six months after the attack.

Jermaine McDonald, 26, was found guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm, robbery and attempted robbery at Inner London crown court on Friday for the attack in Dulwich Park in April.

McDonald stabbed a 31-year-old man in the left side of his head and his chest after he approached the victim and a female friend as they sat on the grass.

Reports at the time said the victim tried to stop McDonald from stealing his friend’s handbag, which police later confirmed was stolen in the attack. McDonald used the bank cards in the handbag to spend less than £100 on cigarettes and alcohol.

Police said the victim spent five weeks in intensive care and was only able to leave hospital for brief home visits almost six months after the attack. He is receiving treatment and suffers reduced sensation across the right side of his body resulting in reduced mobility, in addition to severe memory loss.

McDonald will be sentenced on 17 November.