An elderly man accused of trying to kill the manager of his retirement flats in a cleaver attack has appeared before Maidstone Crown Court for the first time today.

Fred Butcher, 79, was not asked to enter a plea to the attempted murder of Mina Turner at the request of his lawyer.

But more details emerged about the extensive injuries the victim suffered at Hengist Court in Marsham Street, Maidstone, on January 26.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes said the manager was struck on the back of the head with the blunt end of a cleaver.

She suffered wounds to her abdomen, a perforated bowel and liver damage. She also had broken bones and tendon damage in her wrist which could result in the loss of use of her "dominant" hand.

Ms Turner underwent four hours of surgery at King’s College Hospital in London. The 59-year-old victim managed to get to her flat in the complex and call her son shortly before losing consciousness. A passer-by spotted her on the floor.

Her condition was later described as stable.

Mr Butcher, who lived at Hengist Court which has 73 self-contained retirement flats managed by staff from First Point, appeared by video link from Elmley Prison.

He struggled to hear, saying his aid was at home. Judge Philip Statman asked prison staff to arrange for a new one.

Danny Moore, defending, said the case was of a "highly unusual nature" and a psychiatric report would be appropriate.

Mr Butcher, he said, had a bereavement shortly before the alleged attack.

Judge Statman adjourned the hearing for a week and ordered that Butcher should be brought to court from prison to enter a plea.

Residents from Hengist Court attended.