An accused sex attacker who was stabbed on his way to court to attend his trial told jurors the alleged abuse “never happened”.

Unemployed roofer Charles Norris, 60, is alleged to have molested a girl over an 11- year period between 1979 and 1990.

Norris was attacked on September 8 as he made his way to Snaresbrook Crown Court where he is on trial for child sex charges. He was struck in the head and stabbed in the arm by a mystery attacker who fled in a car. He suffered minor injuries and his trial resumed two days later.

Norris insisted the charges against him are false, stating: “It never happened.”

Michael Shaw, prosecuting, accused him of lying to the alleged victim when she was an adult by claiming that he was suffering from cancer. He said: “You tried to manipulate her, as you had when she was a child.”

After Norris denied this, Mr Shaw asked him: “So everyone’s lying and you are telling the truth?”

When Norris agreed the barrister added: “Well, you can add perjury to your list of faults.”

Norris, of Walton Road, Manor Park, denies nine counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault.

The trial continues.