Police have charged a pensioner with the attempted murder of a woman at a block of retirement flats in Maidstone.

Fred Butcher, 79 was arrested yesterday morning when emergency services descended on Hengist Court in Marsham Street after the victim, thought to be in her 50s, suffered multiple serious injuries.

She was flown to a London trauma centre by air ambulance. Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The air ambulance landed in playing fields off New Cut Road in nearby Vinters Park, while witnesses saw a forensics van, four police cars and at least a dozen officers at the scene.

Butcher, who lives Hengist Court, previously featured in the Kent Messenger in 2013 when he complained about uncollected rubbish left near the retirement home.

The retired electricity board linesman has been remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

First Point, who manage the flats has been approached for a comment.