A man accused of assaulting a woman on a popular Norwich footpath had previously threatened to rape and kill a woman he had robbed, a court has heard.

Derry Bates, 44, is accused of attacking a woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - on Marriott's Way.

Section of Marriott's Way, Norwich near where woman was attackedSection of Marriott's Way, Norwich near where woman was attacked (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Bates, of no fixed abode, has denied attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two offences of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

On Friday (November 22) jurors at Norwich Crown Court heard Bates had previously been convicted of three robberies against "lone women" in February 2006.

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) The victim of a robbery on February 16, 2006, told jurors that Bates had threatened to rape and kill her during the incident.

Giving evidence via video, the woman said she had been cycling when she noticed a man tying his shoe laces who seemed "a bit odd" as she approached him.

She said he "jumped at me and pulled me by my hair off my bike".

The woman said Bates "dragged me behind a shed next to the fence" and "demanded I give him the money".

She said he told her if she carried on screaming he would "rape and kill" her.

Jurors also heard evidence from men who came to the aid of the woman who was attacked on May 24 this year.

Entrance to Marriott's Way in NorwichEntrance to Marriott's Way in Norwich (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) One of the men, who works on Barker Street, near to where the alleged assault happened, said he had heard noises which he initially thought had been children playing.

But he said the noises were "distressing" and sounded like "screams for help".

He went to investigate what was going on and was joined by another man who asked him "what on Earth is that noise".

He said he found a woman on the floor with a man "crouched over her and his hand on her".

The witness said the woman, who had her trousers and knickers pulled down, was on her back and was "terrified".

He said the man told him she was his girlfriend bit the woman said "I don't know this man, I've not seen this man before".

The trial continues.