Man accused of trying to murder home manager

Victim told her son ‘I’ve been stabbed’ then collapsed

A retirement home manager seriously injured in an attack managed to drag herself away and tell her son: “I’ve been stabbed” just before passing out, a court heard.

On Saturday, pensioner Fred Butcher appeared before Maidstone Magistrates, accused of the attempted murder of Mina Turner, 59.

Emergency services descended on Hengist Court in Marsham Street, Maidstone, last Thursday where Butcher lives and where Ms Turner is a manager. Butcher, 79, was later arrested.

In court, looking frail and explaining he had a hearing aid, he was not asked to enter a plea during a short hearing.

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

Katie Samways, prosecuting, said Ms Turner was rushed to King’s 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 had been made very close to an artery.

She had a large stomach wound and a deep slash on her wrist was indicative of trying to defend herself.

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

Ms Turner dragged herself to her own flat, also at Hengist Court, and told her son she had been stabbed, moments before losing consciousness.

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 heard she is still at King’s College Hospital. Her condition is described as stable.

Magistrates remanded Butcher, of Hengist Court, Marsham Street, in custody. He will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, February 24.

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