A Yorkletts pensioner was subjected to a "savage and sustained" attack with a frying pan and a claw hammer because she refused to lend money, it has been claimed.

Perry Redmond smashed the nose and teeth of the 71-year-old woman during the incident in May and then "kissed the hammer" after becoming enraged.

He ordered the terrified woman to “get on your f***** knee and beg for your life."

Redmond, 49, of Wheatsheaf Close in Faversham, has admitted wounding her with intent but denies attempted murder.

As the prosecutor was about to show CCTV footage of part of the incident which happened in Dargate Road, the defendant left the dock.

The judge told the jury at Canterbury Crown Court that Redmond has “voluntarily absented himself” from the trial – but warned them not to hold it against him.

Alistair Walker, prosecutor said Redmond had befriended the victim and she had asked him to stay at her home while she was visiting a daughter in Spain.

He said later Redmond turned up asking for money and was told the pensioner couldn’t lend him any.

“He then attacked her with a frying pan. He then stopped that attack, went to his camper van which was parked next door and returned with a claw hammer.

“He then repeatedly hit her over the head and face.

"He attacked her with a frying pan... then went to his camper van and returned with a claw hammer" - prosecutor Alistair Walker

"She tried to get away but he pursued her outside where he continued beating her until she lost consciousness."

Mr Walker claimed Redmond then walked away leaving his victim “terribly injured” suffering from nose, teeth and lip injuries, a broken collar bone, and fractured ribs.

He said that despite her wounds, she recovered to take herself back into her home for safety and shut herself inside her bathroom.

Mr Walker added: “That action may have saved her life as the defendant then returned minutes later and tried to get inside.

“The prosecution say he intended to kill her”.

The victim’s CCTV caught Redmond hitting her repeatedly with the hammer telling her: “No-one is going to help you now.”

The prosecutor said: “She begged him to stop as she was terrified.”

Neighbours also saw Redmond telling her to get on her knees “and beg for your life!” and he was seen kissing the hammer again before throwing it away.

The trial continues.