Man charged over Sydney backpacker attack

A Mexican man has been charged over the stabbing and sexual assault of a female British backpacker in a Sydney boarding house.

The 23-year-old woman was in her room at the Redfern residence, where up to 20 people were staying, when her 27-year-old housemate allegedly forced his way into her room and tried to assault her on Tuesday afternoon.

It's understood he has been in the country about four weeks.

When the woman resisted, the man returned with a knife and allegedly stabbed her several times before she was able to get away, get hold of another knife and stab him in the chest.

At a bedside court sitting in hospital on Thursday, he was charged with causing wounding and grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and aggravated sexual assault with the threat to inflict actual bodily harm.

He's been refused bail and is due to face Central Local Court in May.

It's believed the woman suffered stab wounds to her neck and chest and has undergone surgery.