A man accused of sexually abusing a girl for 12 years has been stabbed outside court on his way to attend trial over the allegation.

Charles Norris, 60, was stabbed in Hollybush Hill outside Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he was due to be cross-examined.

He staggered into the court’s reception, where shocked staff called an ambulance.

The unemployed roofer is midway through a trial in which he denies nine counts of indecent indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault.

He is said to have sexually abused the girl between 1979, when she was aged five, and 1990, when the alleged victim was 16.

Norris is understood to have been attacked at around 1.20pm yesterday afternoon, as he made his way to the court for a 2pm hearing.

The attacker is believed to have got out of a car before hitting him around the head and stabbing him in the arm.

An ambulance was called for the defendant, who was taken to Whipps Cross hospital, Leytonstone.

A source close to the case said the injuries were “unpleasant, but not life threatening”.

Norris, of Richard Fell House, Walton Road, Manor Park, is expected to return to court to continue with his trial.

Police are investigating the incident but no arrests have been made.