A MAN has been remanded in custody charged with attempted murder and sexual assault after a 71-year-old woman suffered multiple stab wounds in Worcester.

Anthony Roberts of Amber Heights, Green Hill, was wearing a grey round-necked sweatshirt when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Monday (May 8).

Roberts only spoke to confirm his name, age, and address during an eight-minute hearing.

The 56-year-old was flanked by a security officer in the glass-fronted dock and looked downwards for much of the hearing, which heard legal submissions from prosecutor Kate Hatton and defence lawyer Mark Turnbull.

There was no application for bail and Roberts was remanded to appear at the city's crown court on Monday, June 5. 

West Mercia Police have said the woman, who was attacked near the River Severn in the early hours of Sunday, remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Roberts also faces a charge of possession of a bladed article in a public place, which magistrates heard is linked to the attempted murder charge.

The police force were called just after 2am on Sunday to an area close to the city centre.