A man accused of torturing a couple in their 60s will next appear in court at the end of the month.

Daniel Wallace, 32, has been charged with five offences after he allegedly raided the couple's Halstead home in April along with two other men and left with a quantity of cash.

The gang reportedly tied the victims up, smashed the phones, demanded money, threatened them and their family and poured a full kettle of boiling water over them in a brutal two-hour ordeal.

The 64-year-old woman was left fighting for her life as a result of the incident and had severe burns to up to 30% of her body.

The businessman, aged 66, was left with burns to 10% of his body.

Kent Police has not revealed the amount of money stolen.

Wallace, of Thetford Road, Dagenham, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday and charged with two counts of false imprisonment, aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm.

He entered no plea when he appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, June 30.

A 33-year-old man from Ilford and a 29-year-old man of no fixed address have also been arrested in connection with the incident.

They have been bailed, pending further inquiries, until Thursday, September 15.