A FORMER mayor of Winchester accused of attempting to murder a 92-year-old woman has made his first appearance at crown court.

David McLean, 71, of Morley Drive, Bishop's Waltham, is accused of trying to murder Margaret McLean, 92, between October 5 to October 8 at her home in Chase Grove, Waltham Chase.

It comes after police were called to the address on October 7 last year as part of an investigation into her death.

The defendant is not charged with her murder.

The former Conservative city councillor made his first crown court appearance at a 20-minute plea and trial preparation on Wednesday.

Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester, adjourned the case for a further hearing on Tuesday, October 31 when McLean will be asked to enter a plea.

A postmortem has been ordered by the judge to be completed within the next three weeks and a provisional trial date has been set for Monday, April 29 next year.

In the meantime, the former mayor remains on conditional bail to live at his address.