Masked attacker Ian Haywood was today starting five life sentences for an horrific attack on a young couple at a Sussex beauty spot.

As a jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of attempted murder and attempted rape yesterday, it learnt he had only been released a few years earlier from a life sentence for murdering a woman with a machete.

Following his release from prison he went on to stab the 17-year-old girl 35 times on Ditchling Common.

Yesterday, Old Bailey Judge Graham Boal said Haywood was such an obvious danger to the public he should never be released.

Haywood had been released on licence for just over a year when he attacked the teenager and her boyfriend at the beauty spot in January last year.

Haywood, 37, of Willow Way, Hurstpierpoint, was convicted of attempted murder, attempted rape, false imprisonment and two offences of attempted robbery.

The victim hugged her boyfriend in the public gallery and said, "Yes", as the judge jailed Hayward for life.

The teenager had 143 stitches and was left permanently scarred after the frenzied attack. She came close to death as the knife narrowly missed major blood vessels in her neck and other blows were blocked by her ribs.

The Old Bailey was told she was saved by her bravery and courage in kicking Haywood in the groin and "playing dead".

Her 19-year-old boyfriend was locked in the boot of his car after a gun was fired over his head and he was struck with the butt.

Haywood had denied being the masked attacker but was convicted after his wife Ann told the jury he came home with blood on his clothes and confessed.

Judge Boal told Haywood: "You have been convicted on overwhelming evidence of appalling crimes. You subjected that young couple to a truly horrendous ordeal. The facts of these offences must rank among the gravest, short of murder itself."

The judge said he was obliged to put a tariff on the life sentences but added: "The facts of this case and your record show you are an obvious danger and pose such a serious risk to the public, I recommend you stay in prison for the rest of your life."

Father-of-four Haywood was jailed for killing Karena Bigg-Wither, 26, in Hampshire in 1984 but released on licence in December 1998.

Judge Boal said no jury could have tried Haywood "dispassionately and objectively" if it had known of his previous conviction.

Haywood showed no emotion as he was led to the cells yesterday.

Outside the court, the father of the 17-year-old victim said: "All the family are relieved and delighted that justice has been done.

"This attack should never have happened. The system had allowed this murderer back into society to reoffend.

"These events are happening too often.

"The Government needs to sit up and urgently review the handling of these callous and vicious people."

DC Chris Standard, from Brighton CID, said: "My reaction to his conviction is one of relief for the two young victims.

"I also feel a sense of comfort that society is a better place now Ian Haywood is behind bars."