3 August 2012 Last updated at 15:41 ET

Kent man jailed over attempted murder and rape

Haydn Prager knew his victims would be alone at the time of the attack

A man who attempted to murder a brother and sister after he broke into their home in Kent has been sentenced to life in prison.

Haydn Prager, 22, previously of South View Road, Tunbridge Wells, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to rape after breaking into the victims' home armed with a knife in February.

The victims' family said their lives had been "torn apart" by the "horrific" attack.

According to Kent Police, Prager, who knew the victims, planned his attack knowing their parents would be away.

He stabbed the 20-year-old sister repeatedly during the attack, which took place at about 04:40 BST.

When her 15-year-old brother woke to her screams and came to her aid, he was stabbed 11 times, including in the neck. However, he managed to escape Prager's grasp and call police.

When officers entered the home they found Prager naked and holding a pair of scissors to the throat of the sister.

He was disarmed by police and arrested.

'Torn apart'

The sister was taken to hospital in a critical condition, spending 40 days there before being allowed home.

A friend of the boy, who had been staying the night, escaped unharmed when he jumped out of a bedroom window.

In a statement the family said: "We would like to thank everybody involved in the preservation of our lives as a family.

"During the middle of February this year, our lives were torn apart by this horrific event during the early hours of that Saturday morning.

"The incredible actions and bravery started with the three young victims, all who managed to stave off this attack and had the presence of mind to call 999, aided by shocked but caring neighbours."

Det Ch Insp Rob Vinson, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said the two victims will bear physical scars for the rest of their lives

"I must pay tribute to the courage they [the victims] have displayed, both at the time of the attack and in the way they have been coming to terms with such a vicious assault," he said.

Prager was told he will spend a minimum of 10 years in prison and has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.