A 17-year-old boy has admitted attempted murder after a stabbing in an east Suffolk village left a girl with life-changing injuries.

Police were called by the East of England Ambulance Service to Benhall, near Saxmundham, just after 7am on Sunday, October 2 last year.

Officers arrived to discover a teenage girl had been attacked in an area of grassland close to the junction of Aldecar Lane and Benhall Green.

The victim was treated at the scene for stab wounds and a back injury and taken to Ipswich Hospital.

She had been left for several hours before being found by a dog walker, who alerted the emergency services.

The boy was arrested later that day on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was taken to Martlesham police investigation centre for questioning, where he was further arrested while in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.

The suspect was subsequently charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

At Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday, the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to both charges.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, March 10 for sentencing, subject to confirmation.