A MAN has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder a woman.

Paul Stuart Andrews, aged 53, of Chestnut Avenue, Walshaw, appeared at Bury Magistrates Court this morning charged with two offences.

He is accused of attempting to murder Emma Andrews in Rochdale on Sunday and of possession of an offensive weapon – a hammer – in Oakcliffe Road, Rochdale, on the same day.

Wearing a grey T-shirt and joggers, and with a grey beard and grey hair, Andrews spoke only to confirm his name, postcode and date of birth.

Andrews was not asked to enter a plea.

The Crown Prosecution Service asked the Bench to decline jurisdiction for the charges and the application was not opposed by Andrews’ solicitor, James Daly.

The Bench passed the case to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, and a hearing is scheduled to take place there on October 25.

The Crown Prosecution Service also asked for Andrews to be remanded in custody until that hearing and Mr Daly did not challenge the application, which was granted by the Bench.

During the five-minute hearing, several members of the public left the public in gallery in tears after Andrews arrived in the dock.

- GREATER Manchester Police said a woman who was attacked with a hammer in Oakcliffe Road, Rochdale, on Sunday remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.