A gardener has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a woman who was stabbed in Dagenham.

Barry Peacham, 26, is accused of attacking 29-year-old Qingqing Rao in Castle Green, on February 13.

Mrs Rao, a business analyst in the City, remains in a critical condition after she was stabbed in the head.

Peacham, of no fixed address, is also accused of robbing a woman in Castle Green two days before Mrs Rao was attacked, and two counts of possessing a bladed article.

On Saturday he appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court where he was remanded in custody to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 27.

A 29-year-old woman who was arrested alongside Peacham on suspicion of attempted murder and robbery has been bailed to return to a police station next month.