A man who searched “how to kill a woman” online went on to stab a stranger in the back as she walked to a shop.
Brandon Bloice attempted to murder the woman after knifing her in the back in the early hours of September 21, 2019.
The 22-year-old had also planned to rape the woman before fleeing the scene when she yelled for help.
He attacked his victim on Carpenter Street in Perth, minutes after following another woman who managed to run away.
Bloice – a convicted sex attacker once ordered to alert social workers if he ever started a relationship – now faces a jail term after he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.
He pled guilty to following the woman and attempting to murder her all with intent to rape.
Bloice was remanded in custody pending sentencing in August.
The victim had gone to her local Asda store in Perth around 12.40am that night.
She was walking alone and not aware of anyone near her.
Prosecutor Shanti Maguire told the hearing: “As she got to an alleyway near a design shop, she felt a sharp pain in her back.
“She screamed and turned around. She saw Bloice facing her.
“She started screaming ‘help, police’ over and over again.
“Bloice ran off in the direction of Perth Concert Hall.”
A number of passers-by rushed to help the bleeding victim.
She was treated at hospital for a single stab wound to the back.
Bloice was traced to a hostel in the city the next day.
He initially claimed to police: “I do not know what you are on about.”
Officers – who also found clothes matching the attacker – went on to examine phones and a tablet device discovered in his room.
Ms Maguire said: “During the analysis, it was established he had used the search terms ‘how to kill a woman stabbing’ and ‘can a dead woman still get pregnant’.”
The advocate depute added Bloice now accepted the assault was carried out with intent to rape the terrified victim.
She told the court: “Although he did not intend to kill her, he was wickedly reckless as to whether she lived or died as a result of the stab wound.”
After an initial police appeal to catch Bloice, another woman came forward to report how he had tracked her five minutes before the murder bid.
She had felt “uneasy” after noticing him in Perth’s High Street and asked for friends to join her and collect her bike.
The woman eventually said she was “fine” and started walking alone.
However, she then again became aware of Bloice who had made up “significant ground” behind her.
She started running and immediately called her boyfriend.
Ms Maguire said: “Due to Bloice’s actions, the woman was scared and stayed on the phone until she got home.”
On Thursday, Bloice also pled guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner in connection with this incident.
Judge Gillian Wade QC remanded him in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports.
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