Marriott's Way attack: Woman thought she would die

At the time of the attack, the woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - was going to visit a friend in the city.

She had been talking on her mobile phone as she walked along Marriott's Way.

Norwich Crown Court heard that as the woman made her way on the path she was approached from behind by Derry Bates and attacked.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Jurors have been told the 44-year-old is alleged to have repeatedly punched her in the face and dragged her into a wooded area. There he is said to have pulled down her tracksuit bottoms and knickers.

In evidence shared from a recorded interview with police, the woman said: "I thought I was going to die."

On the day of the incident, which happened at around 1.30pm on May 24 this year, she had been on a call to a friend when she became aware of something happening behind her.

She was then hit on the back of the head and thought she was being robbed.

She told her friend "something like call my husband or call the police."

The woman tired to give the man her handbag and phone saying she "didn't care about these things", but then described how he pulled her "towards the inside of the trees".

Marriott's Way, Norwich (Image: Newsquest) Jurors heard how the woman "tried to hit him" as she shouted for help, before he struck her with his fists in the face and neck.

"It shocked me" said the woman, who had by this point began "seeing black" as he punched her.

As she "blacked out" she remembered him trying to undress her while she was on her back on the floor.

She described the man - who did not say a word during the attack - as tall with a "horrible" face and "aggressive".

She added that she felt lucky "someone responded" to her screams.

Marriott's Way (Image: Newsquest) Her face was left swollen and she was "unable to eat for two weeks".

Bates, of no fixed address, has gone on trial accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two offences of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

The defendant has denied all offences.

The trial continues.