Waukegan man pleads not guilty to attacking woman

A Waukegan man accused of violently attacking a woman who rejected his romantic advances last month pleaded not guilty Thursday, authorities said.

Varghese Philip, 51, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty at trial of felony attempted murder charges, Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Scott Hoffert said. Philip can also be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison if found guilty on felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, Hoffert said.

Philip's trial is set for Sept. 24 in front of Judge Daniel Shanes. Philip is being held in Lake County jail on $500,000 bail, Hoffert said.

Waukegan police were called to an apartment complex on the 1600 block of Sunset Road at 10:25 p.m. June 21 for reports of a man attacking a woman with a weapon in the street, Hoffert said. When police arrived, they found the female victim, who was in her early 30s, unresponsive and with her eyes swollen shut.

Witnesses identified Philip as the attacker, Hoffert said. Witnesses also told police he stomped on the woman's head multiple times and used a knife or dagger to try to cut off her hair, Hoffert said.

No knife was found, Hoffert said, but police found a box cutter at the scene.

The victim was taken to the hospital, Hoffert said. Her condition is unknown, but Hoffert said she is expected to survive.

Before the attack, Philip had made romantic advances, but she informed one of Philip's family members that she was not interested in dating him, Hoffert said.

Philip was appointed a public defender at a previous bond hearing. He is due back in court Aug. 14.