A man who stabbed a victim in his head and left him hospitalised for six months during an attempted robbery has been jailed for his brutal assault.

Jermaine McDonald, 26, of no fixed abode was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, October 20, of assault causing grievous bodily harm, robbery and attempted robbery.

At around 1pm on Thursday, April 27, McDonald approached the 31-year-old victim and a female friend, aged in her 30s, as they sat on the grass in Dulwich Park.

McDonald stabbed the male victim to the left side of his head and to his chest. He also kicked him when he was lying on the ground.

The man was taken to a south London hospital where his condition was critical.

He spent five weeks in intensive care, and almost six months after the attack is only able to leave hospital for brief home visits.

He suffers reduced sensation across the right side of his body, resulting in reduced mobilisation, in addition to severe memory loss.

The Met said the motive for the attack appears to have been robbery, although there is no explanation for the extreme level of violence used.

The woman's handbag was stolen, and bank cards were used by McDonald, who spent less than £100 on cigarettes and alcohol in three contactless transactions.

Detectives from Southwark CID investigated the attack, and they arrested McDonald on April 30.

He was found guilty following a trial and will be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on November 17.