A teenager in Germany is standing trial for attempted murder after he allegedly knifed a cyclist in a dark forest because he wanted to become a serial killer.

The trial is taking place at the district court in Dortmund, a city in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, after the 18-year-old, named only as Niclas U. due to strict local privacy laws, allegedly attempted to murder a 23-year-old cyclist.

The public prosecutor’s office claimed that he was driven by a lust for murder, according to the German daily Bild.

Prosecutor Carsten Dombert, 57, said: “The defendant planned to become a serial killer. He walked past the witness, who was looking at his cell phone, grabbed him by the shoulder, and pushed the knife into his chest.”

The victim, named as Kevin M., was also reportedly injured in the arm while trying to defend himself.

He ran away, bleeding profusely, but survived thanks to an emergency operation.

He is quoted as saying: “I just came back from my first day at work in a part-time job. It was 8.50pm. I stopped my bike in the woods to smoke a joint. Then I heard footsteps behind me, saw a man, but I didn’t think anything of it.

“Suddenly he came up to me with his hand raised. By then it was already too late…”

The victim still reportedly suffers with breathing difficulties because the knife punctured his lung.

The would-be serial killer’s lawyer, Marco Ostmeyer, 47, said: “My client admits to having stabbed the witness twice. However, he will not provide any further information at the time.”

The defendant is set to be assessed by a psychiatrist.

Attempted murder in Germany comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.