A WOMAN who was repeatedly stabbed while jogging in a London park may have been attacked by the same man who murdered an American artist in similar circumstances in February, police fear.

The 39-year-old suffered several knife wounds to the upper body during the attack in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, just after 5pm on Friday. The park is two miles from Victoria Park, east London, where Margaret Muller, 27, was murdered.

Police described the attacker as a young white man wearing a jacket with a hooded top. The jogger struggled with him and managed to run off but collapsed a short distance away.

A doctor who was also jogging in the park noticed her slumped body and administered emergency treatment before she was taken to hospital, where she underwent surgery.

Police are now warning women joggers to be on their guard, and to not to go running alone.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Shatford said there were several “disturbing similarities” between the latest attack and Muller’s murder.

“We have a female jogger in a wide open space with similar environmental features. The attack also appears to be motiveless. All we are left with is the option that it was for the attacker’s own gratification.

“She managed to escape from him and run away but collapsed because of her injuries after a short distance.

“Fortunately, there was a doctor in the park and he went to her immediate aid. That doctor could well have saved that lady’s life.”

Shatford said there was no evidence of attempted robbery or a sex attack.

“On each occasion, a knife has been used. For this reason we are going to be demonstrably robust with this investigation and I will work on the assumption that the person who killed Margaret is also responsible for this attack until we can prove otherwise,” he said.

The park is expected to remain closed while forensic officers examine the scene for clues.

Muller, originally from Virginia, America, was a promising artist and a student at the Slade School of Fine Art, part of University College London.

At the time her family made an emotional visit to the murder spot in an appeal for information to help catch the killer. Muller, who was only 4ft 11in tall, died in the arms of a 68-year-old woman passer-by.The Metropolitan police launched the largest reconstruction exercise in its history in the hope of getting new clues.

The investigation into last week’s attack will be placed under the responsibility of the team who have been on the Muller case.

The latest victim is said to be in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Police were expecting to obtain a more detailed statement from her last night.

Shatford issued a plea for women joggers to take extra precaution when out exercising. “We don’t want to be alarmist but given the circumstances we are asking women in particular to be very aware of their surroundings,” he said. “If they can run in pairs then run in pairs.

“We are particularly interested in locating any witnesses or anyone approached by a male before the attack and perhaps engaged them in conversation. We think he is a young white man, probably a loner, with close links in the area.”

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