A retirement home manager needed four hours of emergency surgery following an attack which left her with serious head and neck injuries, a court heard.

Fred Butcher, 79, appeared before Maidstone Magistrates, accused of attempted murder in connection with an attack on Mina Turner, 59.

Emergency services descended on Hengist Court in Marsham Street, Maidstone, on Thursday where Ms Turner is a manager and where Mr Butcher lives.

Looking frail and explaining he had a hearing aid, the pensioner was not asked to enter a plea during a short hearing on Saturday at the Palace Avenue court.

His defence counsel, Harpal Virdee, indicated Butcher will plead not guilty.

Katie Samways, prosecuting, said Ms Turner was rushed to Kings College Hospital, in London, where she underwent four hours of surgery. She had cuts to the back of her head and a cut on her neck was very close to an artery.

Another large wound to the stomach had ruptured a cavity wall and she had a deep slash on her wrist.

The court heard how a visitor to the complex could see through a door and saw Ms Turner lying on the floor during the incident and rushed inside to intervene.

Ms Turner managed to drag herself to her own flat, also at Hengist Court, and tell her son she had been stabbed, just before she passed out.

The emergency response saw the air ambulance land 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.

Ms Turner's injuries were described as serious and the court was told she is still at King's College Hospital.

Magistrates remanded Butcher in custody. He will appear at Maidstone Crown Court next month.

Hengist Court has 73 self-contained retirement flats managed by a team of staff from First Point.