Jogger attacks: new lead

Police hunting the man who almost stabbed to death a woman jogger in Clissold Park believe he may be a psychiatric patient.

Detectives have been consulting health professionals amid growing fears that the attacker is being treated for serious mental health problems.

They believe health workers could hold the key to the investigation, but may be reluctant to come forward because of concerns about patient confidentiality.

The attack on a 39-year-old woman in the park in Stoke Newington 10 days ago has been strongly linked to the murder of artist Margaret Muller in February.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Shatford said there was only the tiniest chance that the two stabbings were not connected.

Officers investigating Miss Muller's murder in Victoria Park, Hackney, less than three miles away, have been focusing on mentally disturbed patients for six months.

Suspects questioned over the death of the 27-year-old American have been interviewed about the second attack.

Police have issued a description of the attacker. He is white, slim, in his teens or early twenties and 5ft to 5ft8in. He was wearing a dark hooded top.

A police reconstruction of the Clissold Park stabbing is expected to be carried out this Friday.