A man has appeared in court charged with the rape and attempted murder of a pensioner in Chessington.

Robert Richards, 22, appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink from Wandsworth prison for a hearing on Friday.

He is accused of raping and attempting to murder a woman in her 70s in the early hours of October 23.

Prosecutor Catherine Milsom claimed Mr Richards entered the woman’s house through a bedroom window while wearing a condom.

Miss Milsom said: “He told her he was going to rape her and he told her he was going to kill her.”

The court heard how the woman suffered several serious injuries which required surgery.

She was taken to hospital and underwent surgery, suffering a cardiac arrest on the operating table.

However, Ms Milson said she was “making a recovery”.

Mr Richards, wearing a blue sweater, spoke only to confirm his name.

He was remanded in custody and will appear again on February 7, 2014, for a plea hearing.