The father of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne has appeared in court accused of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Michael Payne, of Brishing Lane, Maidstone, is alleged to have attacked his brother Stephen on August 24.

The 42-year-old will return to Maidstone Crown Court on November 11 to enter a plea to the charge.

Sex offender Roy Whiting, 52, was jailed for life after being convicted of Sarah's murder in 2001. He was ordered to serve a 50-year term, later reduced to 40 years by the Appeal Court.

Sarah was aged eight in July 2000 when she disappeared while playing in a cornfield near the home of her grandparents in Kingston Gorse, West Sussex. Her body was found 16 days later 15 miles away near Pulborough.

Sarah's mother Sara and father parted in 2003.