'Crime of pure evil': Convicted robber left City worker in vegetative state as she walked home from work

A convicted robber could face a life sentence for stabbing a young City worker as she walked home from work and leaving her for dead.

Business analyst Qing Qing Rao was just yards from her home in Dagenham, east London, when she was attacked with a knife by Barry Peacham.

The 26-year-old stabbed her in the head and then continued attacking her before stealing her handbag, mobile phone and laptop computer.

Ms Rao was found lying unconscious by a path in Castle Green Park, having suffered catastrophic injuries.

Since the attack, she has been in a persistent vegetative state and is considered "extremely unlikely" ever to recover consciousness, jurors were told.

Peacham was found not guilty of her attempted murder but guilty of wounding with intent and robbery following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Following his conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes, of Scotland Yard, said: