Man pleads guilty in Marlene Bird attack

Marlene Bird, who suffered a violent attack on June 1, 2014, says she is still struggling to piece her life back together.

A man who was accused of sexually assaulting and burning a homeless woman in Prince Albert last summer has pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Leslie Black, 29, entered the plea in Prince Albert provincial court Tuesday.

Black was charged in connection to the attack of Marlene Bird.

Bird was found in a downtown Prince Albert parking lot on June 1, 2014. She had been viciously beaten and set on fire, and was barely conscious when she was found.

She suffered third-degree burns and was so badly wounded that both her legs required amputation and half of her forehead down to her chin was lacerated.

The Crown said the charge of aggravated sexual assault against Black will be dropped.

Black has since been remanded for a psychiatric assessment.

He is set to return to court June 26.

--- with files from the Canadian Press and CTVNews.ca