A TEENAGE girl has spoken of how she fought off an accused murderer for fear she would be raped.

Ben Harvey, of Ridges View, Little London, is accused of stabbing William Rudiak, 26, who was discovered at a home in Turin Court on June 11, last year.

On the same day, following the stabbing, Mr Harvey entered a house in a village close to Andover where he attempted to sexual assault a teenage girl.

In a police interview, the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said that she woke after her lights flicked on and off.

She said: “He tried to smother me, felt like he was trying to get on top of me. It [Mr Harvey’s hand] was clasped over my mouth, just trying to not get me to say anything.”

The teenager said that Mr Harvey attempted to get her shorts off, and she battled to stop him.

She added: “I think he was trying to rape me. I couldn’t digest what happened I was so shocked.”

During the assault the girl hit her attacker on the face, and she managed to get away from him, before he sprinted out the house. The girl was left with scratches to her back and face.

Hours after the incident Mr Harvey’s father, Raymond, said that his son divulged that he had a dream about stabbing someone, and had taken drugs earlier that day.

Raymond told Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday, January 22): “He didn’t know how he got anywhere, he didn’t remember driving anywhere, he didn’t remember driving home.

“I asked him whether he had been on weed, booze and cocaine. [He said] it was a stronger mix of cocaine because his normal supplier had run out. It was a strong consistency.”

Mr Harvey’s father said he regretted making a phone call to the police and that his son had asked him to do it.

“He was white as a sheet, bolt upright as if he wasn’t there, a zombie type. He was devastated, head on the floor. He kept apologising.”

The 22-year-old’s mother, Jean, told the court that on the night of the incidents he had swallowed bleach and taken some of her tablets in an attempt to take his own life, but had been sick from the substances.

The jury heard that Mr Harvey was on a “downwards spiral” since he started taking drugs and had lost contact with his friends from the Young Farmers’ Club.

Former girlfriend Ellie Whiteland said that she had asked Mr Harvey to stop taking drugs and he would break his promise.

Throughout their year-long relationship the couple argued about his addiction and he “couldn’t help himself”, but they would always make up.

Mr Harvey is facing charges of murder, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.