A man will appear in court, charged over the horrific sexual assault of a young girl in Sydney’s south.

54-year-old Anthony Sampieri allegedly attacked the seven-year-old at a Kogarah dance studio on November 15.

Police alleged he locked the child in a toilet cubicle, held her at knifepoint and sexually assaulted her for up to half an hour.

Two men who had been searching for the missing child intervened, with one allegedly stabbed several times in the stomach and neck.

Sampieri was also injured in the altercation and has been in hospital, under police guard, ever since.

He’s now been transferred to police custody and has been charged with 11 offences, including sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated kidnapping and grievous bodily harm.

If convicted, he could face life in jail.

Sampieri has been refused bail and will face court via video link today.