A THUG who stabbed a woman, punched her in the face and pulled out her hair will be assessed to see if he poses a danger to the public.

Ross Dutfield admitted a string of offences at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, including attempted wounding with intent and aggravating vehicle taking after he crashed a car. 

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The 29-year-old of St Wulfstan's Crescent, near Wyld's Lane, Worcester, appeared over videolink from HMP Hewell.

He admitted five counts, all from Saturday, August 6, including attempting to wound with intent a 23-year-old woman.

We have previously reported how Dutfield was arrested following an attack at a property in the city's Staplow Road, near Spetchley Road.

The particulars of the most serious charge, read out in court, were that he attempted to unlawfully and maliciously wound his victim with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm. 

No details of the attack were revealed in open court but we have previously reported how a man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a reported stabbing in Staplow Road, off Spetchley Road, at about 9pm on Saturday, August 6.

A weapon was recovered from the scene.

Dutfield further admitted aggravated vehicle taking of a Seat Ibiza which he took without the consent of the owner. Before it was recovered the vehicle was involved in an accident which caused damage to the car.

Dutfield admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the same victim by 'pulling a large clump of her hair from her scalp', audibly sighing as he entered his guilty plea.

He also admitted a second count of ABH, also against the same victim, which involved 'punching her to the face and head', driving while disqualified on Spetchley Road and the B4084 and driving without insurance.

We previously reported how a 23-year-old woman injured during the incident was discharged from hospital.

West Mercia Police said at the time of the incident: "We attended with colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service and the woman was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, with injuries that were believed to be non-life changing."

Glenn Cook, defending, asked that the case be adjourned for a psychiatric report and a pre-sentence report to assess the issue of dangerousness which he said would require at least eight weeks.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright listed the case for an hour-long sentence hearing on November 17 'not before 2pm.'

Judge Cartwright said the pre-sentence report, prepared by the probation service, must include 'an assessment of dangerousness'.

The defendant was told he could appear over videolink for the sentencing hearing.

"You must understand that the fact I'm ordering the pre-sentence report is not to be taken as any sort of indication as to what the sentence will be," the judge said.

The judge also said that 'obviously a victim personal statement will be required' before the sentence is passed.