A man appeared in court this morning charged with attempted murder and rape after a woman suffered serious stab wounds.

It is said to have happened at an address in Hextable near Swanley on Thursday and paramedics treated the victim at the scene before taking her to a London hospital where her condition is said to be stable.

Yesterday, detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate arrested 24-year-old Michael Barnard, of Lower Road in the village, who appeared before Maidstone Magistrates' Court today.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on February 19.