A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of the attempted murder of a homeless man.

Stephen Nowlan, 33, appeared before magistrates in Medway yesterday after being charged with the attempted murder of a rough sleeper who was living on a mattress at the Great Lines Park in Gillingham.

Nowlan, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, did not enter any plea in relation to the charge and his case was sent to Maidstone Crown Court by the bench.

The homeless man, who is still in hospital recovering, suffered multiple stab wounds in the Kings Bastion area of the park in August.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate charged Nowlan with he crime earlier this week.

Previously, officers had arrested two 32-year-old men from the town, but the pair were later released without charge.

Police had issued the picture of the homeless man as part of an appeal to find witnesses, but did not name him.

He was found staggering across the park by a passer-by on the evening of Monday, August 18.

Nowlan is expected to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, October 31 for a preliminary hearing.

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